Aaron Rodgers shook off the rust, threw a few passes, and led the New York Jets into the end zone.
It all made for a successful preseason debut with his new team, and Jets fans can breathe a sigh of relief.
“I got in, didn’t get hurt, scored,” Rodgers said. “It was a good night.”
Rodgers threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson to cap his second and final series, helping his new squad to a 32-24 victory over the Giants on Saturday night.
Wearing his white No. 8 Jets jersey and playing in the preseason for the first time since 2018, when he was with Green Bay, Rodgers received loud cheers from the Jets fans in the stands for the “road” game at the stadium they share with the Giants.
“I had some butterflies, for sure,” said the 39-year-old Rodgers, entering his 19th NFL season. “I loosened up pretty good when I got the ovation when I took the field. That was a special moment.”
Head coach Robert Saleh said the decision to start the veteran quarterback in his first preseason game since 2018 boiled down to the fact that “he’s new” to the team.
“I know he’s been in the league for a very long time, but we just didn’t want Sept.11 to be the first time he’s stepped in the Met Life Stadium,” Saleh said, referring to the Jets’ regular-season opener against the Buffalo Bills. “You can’t coach scared, can’t play scared.”
“It’s always good to play against one of the best people in the game,” Giants second-year linebacker Darrian Beavers said. “It’s always good to get good competition and see how good the defense is. I mean, people like that, it elevates us.”
That was it for Rodgers, who went 5 for 8 for 47 yards and the TD in his two series before being replaced by Zach Wilson.
“It’s a start,” Coach Robert Saleh said. “It doesn’t mean much. We’ve got to continue working and playing football together and see where it goes.”
Rodgers’ next appearance will be the regular-season opener against the visiting AFC East rival Buffalo Bills on 11 September.
“I think we’re ready,” Rodgers said of the Jets’ offense.
Jets open regular season at Buffalo Bills on 11 September.
