Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers was set to lead the Jets to a franchise changing season this year. After his first drive, well be lucky to see Rodgers back in any NFL uniform. After taking his first sack of the game, Rodgers suffered a season ending achilles tear. New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh was quoted saying, “the x-ray came back negative, but the MRI should prove our worst fear. Whatever the damage is, it’s not good.”
The first prime time game of the year was a match up between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets. With the Jets coming off a brutal 7-10 record under quarter back Zach Wilson, a change was needed in the quarterback position. The New York Jets went all in this season and traded a first round draft pick for the 39 year old veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After this season ending injury, it seems the Jets are back to starting Zach Wilson.
The tv series “Hard Knocks” followed the Jets this offseason. With both media following the team and NFL fans everywhere excited to see a new revamped jets team, this injury is a dream killer.
Now with this injury taking place on a artificial field, players all around the league are calling for turf to be replaced by grass. Rodgers former teammate David Bakhitari tweeted out “Congrats @NFL. How many more players have to get hurt on ARTIFICIAL TURF? You care more about soccer players than us. You plan to remove all artificial turf for the World Cup coming up. So clearly its feasibly. Im sick of this..Do better!” This isn’t the first season ending injury that has happened on artificial turf.
No studies have showed that grass is better than artificial turf, however players from the NFL have demanded for grass to be put in place of the turf. Players are quoted saying that grass is more forgiving than turf. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. came out and said “when you plant and get hit grass will give and allow the leg to slide. When you plant on turf and get hit the turf locks your leg in place increasing the chance for injury.
Even with their star quarterback Aaron Rodgers not being able to compete, backup quarterback Zach Wilson got the job done in a stunning 22-16 upset win over the Bills. Zach Wilson was 14/21 with 140yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. The win was secured by the undrafted free agent Xavier Gibson. Gibson returned a punt for a touchdown after the Bills first possession in overtime.
The Jets season looks to be unclear, with a talented defense and standout receivers it will be interesting to see how they do. Aaron Rodgers has seemed to reshape Zach Wilsons play, however the Jets still seem to not trust Zach to throw the ball down field. Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh said that Wilson will be the starter going forward. However they are in the market for a veteran quarterback. Could we possibly see Tom Brady return to the NFL?
https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/12/sport/aaron-rodgers-out-for-2023-season-injury-spt-intl/index.html