When Aaron Rodgers went down in the Jets’ season opener on Monday night, it sent immediate shockwaves through the football world.
The Jets’ new quarterback hit the turf on his first drive with his new team and was later carted off the field with an ankle injury, ruled out for the rest of the game as he was spotted wearing a boot.
Jets’ legend Joe Namath struck a positive tone after the injury shocker, placing his faith in backup quarterback Zach Wilson.
“Realistically, the way Rodgers left the field I don’t expect him to come back tonight. So let’s stay positive. I’m glad we have Zach to come in and I’m glad he’s had the tutelage that he’s had with Aaron,” Namath wrote. “I hope he’s got his scrambling shoes on tonight!! GO JETS!!!”
Superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes wished Rodgers well.
“Hate that, man… Praying for the best,” the two-time Super Bowl champion wrote on X.
Radio host Joe Benigno chimed in with disbelief.
“The Pain is real bro, you can’t make this up!!” Benigno wrote on X.
The sports media pain was shared by the likes of Mike Greenberg, the ESPN host and diehard Jets fans, who was seemingly not well after Rodgers’ injury.
“thank you everyone for your concern about my father’s mental state,” Greenberg’s daughter Nikki wrote on X. “i am here to confirm it is not good.”
The Jets quarterback was sacked by Bills edge rusher Leonard Floyd, who broke through the Jets’ offensive line on the first series.
Rodgers’ former offensive tackle David Bakhtiari placed the blame on MetLife Stadium’s turf, which was replaced this year due to injury concerns.
“Congrats @nfl. How many more players have to get hurt on ARTIFICIAL TURF??! You care more about soccer players than us,” Bakhtiari wrote.
“You plan to remove all artificial turf for the World Cup coming up. So clearly it’s feasible. I’m sick of this..Do better!”
The injury reverberated outside football as well.
“I’m so sick right now,” former Nets star and current Suns scorer Kevin Durant wrote. “Get well soon 8…”
Rodgers, the four-time MVP who the Jets traded for this offseason, was expected to elevate a team with Super Bowl aspirations this year.
His Monday night debut against the Bills was one of the most highly anticipated games in recent Jets history.
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