THE AARON RODGERS EXPERIENCE: OVER IN A MINUTE

 

    75 seconds. Four plays. That's how long Aaron Rodgers' Jets career lasted. After an off-season full of immense hype built up by the fans, media, and himself, Aaron Rodgers completely tore his left Achilles on the first drive of his debut game. 

    The New York Jets hosted the Buffalo Bills for Monday Night Football on September 11th. Emotions were already high with two New York teams playing under the bright lights on 9/11. Tensions were heightened further since this game was supposed to represent the start of a new era for a Jets franchise. A franchise that hasn't had a true star quarterback since Joe Namath led them to the Super Bowl in 1969. 

    After back-to-back MVP seasons with the Green Bay Packers in 2020 and 2021, Rodgers had an off year to his standards last season. Missing the playoffs by one game in dramatic fashion at home, everyone speculated if we had just witnessed Rodgers' final game at Lambeau Field.

    Two dark and quiet months passed before Rodgers spoke again. He told the world his intention: to be a New York Jet. That became the sports world's top story for the next six months. Nonstop coverage of the Rodgers situation culminated to what was the apex of our story so far: Rodgers' debut.

    The video of Leonard Floyd, a defender for the Bills, tackling Rodgers clearly shows the moment his lower calf pops. As Rodgers hit the ground, he flipped onto his back and tossed the ball. He knew. Rodgers got up quickly, almost like he was trying to trick his body into being okay. He knew. One hobbled step followed by another hop step, and Rodgers became immobile. He knew. Rodgers looked towards the sideline and softly shook his head. The lights in the stadium have never been brighter. The fans in the stadium have never been more excited. His teammates stood there waiting for him to lead the huddle. Almost every eye and camera in the stadium was on him. He knew. Rodgers stood still for eight seconds. The thoughts that must've been racing through his head as he went through every stage of grief until he finally arrived at acceptance. He knew. Rodgers sat back down and never got back up. 

    The craziest thing happened next -- the Jets won. Rallying around backup QB Zach Wilson, who deserves an article of his own, the Jets stunned the Bills in overtime to win 16-22. The Jets are still a good team, which is why they squeaked by with the week 1 win. It's also why Rodgers wanted to play there in the first place. With young stars on both sides of the ball, a promising new coach, and the right leaders in the locker room, the Jets were one quarterback away from becoming a great team. 

    So, what now? Well, with 17 more weeks ahead of them, the only thing the Jets can do is play on. For Rodgers, the fear is this could be career-ending. Rodgers will get surgery on his leg soon and decide: How fast do I want to push the rehab.

    Obviously, if he were going to play next season, the answer would be as fast as possible. But Rodgers will turn 40 in December so the road to recovery will already be difficult. Adding the extra pressure of returning to football shape by the spring will only make it worse. While the early whispers leaking out of the Jets facility indicate a return for No. 8 in 2024, nothing is certain. 

    The rest of the football world mourns as one the biggest storylines heading into the NFL season ends seemingly quicker than you can say "Green 19. Green 19 Hut." The Jets had Super Bowl aspirations after decades of trying to find their quarterback... and they had him for 75 seconds.