Following the New York Jets’ 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is ready for an emotional return to MetLife Stadium (dubbed “JetLife” by the four-time MVP).
“I feel good about it,” Rodgers said while addressing the media on Tuesday. “It’s been a long time since I’ve took the field at JetLife, so there’ll be a lot of emotions for sure. I’m excited to play in [the Jets-Patriots rivalry]. I played in arguably the best rivalry in football, the Bears and Packers, and was a part of turning that thing around.”
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Rodgers added, “There will be emotion this week, as there always is during the anthem, and seeing our crowd, night game, the excitement driving up to the stadium and seeing the tailgate happening,” Rodgers said. “There’s always emotion. If you love the game, there’s always emotion.”
The last time Rodgers took the field in the Meadowlands, he tore his Achilles just four plays into the team’s first offensive possession, forcing him to be sidelined for the entirety of his 2023 campaign. Before Rodgers got injured, he got the crowd going by running on the field while holding an American flag in tribute to September 11, 2001.
When asked if anything special is planned for Thursday’s home opener, Rodgers responded, “The flag thing was spur of the moment. Didn’t think about it at all. Somebody just grabbed me a flag, and I said, okay, run with this thing. I’m sure there will be some stuff, and whatever happens, happens.”
The 10-time Pro Bowler also praised the defense of the division rival New England Patriots, whom the Jets will host on Thursday night. Rodgers stated, “They’ve played pretty good the [first] two weeks, gave up 10 and 23 [points]. They’re a typical Patriot defense, play really sound football, smart. They have a lot of techniques you don’t see across other teams.”
The Jets are currently 6.5-point favorites over the Patriots, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
