In a dramatic turn of events, Aaron Rodgers’ debut season with the New York Jets was cut short when he suffered a devastating season-ending Achilles injury just four snaps into the 2023 season. Fast forward to the 2024 season, where Rodgers made his much-anticipated return to the field, but unfortunately, the Jets fell short to the San Francisco 49ers in a 32-19 loss.
However, the real cause for celebration came in the following game, where the Jets emerged victorious against the Tennessee Titans with a score of 24-17. Rodgers, who was finally able to lead his team to a win, expressed his excitement by jokingly remarking, “technically my second,” in reference to the previous season’s abrupt end.
“It feels like it’s been a long time,” Rodgers said with a grin. “It’s been a long time coming for me to be a part of a game like this.”
The game was neck-and-neck until the final minutes, with the score tied at 17-17. The Jets took control of the game with a dominant drive down the field, culminating in a touchdown to secure the victory at 24-17.
Reflecting on the pivotal moment, Rodgers praised the defense for their stellar performance, which included forcing two turnovers, sacking the opposing quarterback four times, and ultimately sealing the game with a crucial stop on fourth-and-goal.
“To be able to take a knee at the end is something special,” Rodgers remarked. “Proud of our defense, they made some big plays in the first half when we were really sputtering and got the ball back twice. We finally started putting a few things together. Still, there’s a lot to improve on, but this feels really good.”
Rodgers also expressed his gratitude towards his teammates and the fervent fans in attendance, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout the game.
“I’m thankful for the guys, I’m thankful for our fans that traveled. Incredible fanbase, I mean they were loud, especially on the last fourth down,” he said.
As Rodgers and the Jets savor this hard-earned victory, they look ahead to future games with renewed confidence and determination to build upon their success on the gridiron.