Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was set to lead the Jets to a franchise changing season this year. After his first drive, we’ll 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 matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets. With the Jets coming off a brutal 7-10 record under quarterback Zach Wilson, a change was needed in the quarterback position.
The 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 Wilson.
Now, with this injury taking place on an artificial field, players all around the league are calling for turf to be replaced by grass. Rodgers former teammate David Bakhtiari tweeted out “Congrats @NFL. How many more players must 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. I’m 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 Rodgers not being able to compete, backup quarterback Zach Wilson got the job done in a stunning 22-16 upset win over the Bills. 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 Wilsons play; however, the Jets still seem to not trust Wilson to throw the ball down field. Coach Saleh said that Wilson will be the starter going forward.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/12/sport/aaron-rodgers-out-for-2023-season-injury-spt-intl/index.html