The New York Jets won an emotional thriller on Monday Night Football over the Buffalo Bills in overtime, 22-16, on a punt return house call by Hard Knocks hero Xavier Gipson. However, the win came at a hefty price.
Following a heart-tugging entrance with the American flag and four plays into his debut as Jets quarterback, Aaron Rodgers’ season seemingly came to an abrupt end.
Rodgers tried to spin away from an oncoming Bills defender and ended up suffering a left foot injury after falling to the ground. Eventually, a cart came out to get Rodgers after he was helped to the sideline.
During his postgame press conference, Jets head coach Robert Saleh said the team feared an Achilles injury and were awaiting an MRI on Tuesday. He stated “it’s not good.”
It was a deflating moment for football fans everywhere – especially those watching at MetLife Stadium. Jets fans are no stranger to this type of heartbreak. After the Jets reached the AFC Championship Game during the ’98 season, starting quarterback Vinny Testaverde tore his Achilles in the ’99 season opener in the Meadowlands. The Jets didn’t reach a conference championship game for another decade.
New York turns to backup quarterback Zach Wilson, who led the Jets to a win on Monday night. They’ll have their hands full on Sunday when they face the Dallas Cowboys in AT&T Stadium.
As for Rodgers, it’s quite possible we have seen him for the last time. Facing a potentially long recovery at 39 years old, one wonders if Rodgers played his final NFL game on Monday night.