Packers fans react to Aaron Rodgers injury on first drive with Jets
Aaron Rodgers' New York Jets debut got off to the worst possible start. Rodgers suffered an ankle injury on the opening possession and had to leave the game.
The Jets' offensive line was a major concern entering the season, and it showed early on. According to Sam Monson of PFF, the Jets allowed more pressures on the opening drive than the Green Bay Packers gave up in the entire game against the Chicago Bears.
Rodgers went down and had to exit on a cart. Backup Zach Wilson stepped in. Rodgers had only thrown one pass.
Packers fans are watching the game closely for a couple of reasons. Not only is it Rodgers' first game since leaving Green Bay, but the number of snaps he plays directly impacts the Packers' 2024 draft pick.
If Rodgers plays 65% of the Jets' snaps this season, the Packers receive a first-round pick. If not, it is only a second-rounder.
Packers reacted to Rodgers' first-quarter injury on social media.
Packers fans react to Aaron Rodgers' injury on Jets debut
65%
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) September 12, 2023
The cart is out for Rodgers and my Packers second round mock draft releases tomorrow.
— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) September 12, 2023
Put 65% aside - I sincerely hope that isn't the last we see of Aaron Rodgers. https://t.co/x3TLcg6cUA
— Jacob Westendorf (@JacobWestendorf) September 12, 2023
allow this to be a lesson that you can have all of the weapons in the world, but it doesn’t matter if you can’t protect your quarterback and keep him upright. be grateful for that immovable wall in front of jordan love over there in green bay
— zach jacobson (@itszacharyj) September 12, 2023
Genuinely concerned we might not see him play again if it's what it looked like
— Jake Schyvinck (@JakeNFLDraft) September 12, 2023
I’ve seen this one before. Bills are F-ed in the second half https://t.co/5qtJe7Jmaf
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) September 12, 2023
Zach Kruse of Packers Wire makes a good point. It was Week 1 of the 2018 season when Rodgers was carted off with what appeared to be a significant knee injury. The Packers trailed the Bears 20-0 early in the third quarter. Rodgers returned to the game and became a superhero, guiding the Packers to an all-time great comeback win.
No matter how much time Rodgers misses, the Jets' offensive line is a major concern. Rodgers barely had time to throw seemingly every time he dropped back to pass.
While Packers fans will joke about 65%, it truly is sad to see Rodgers suffer an injury on the opening drive. Forget about how it impacts Green Bay. Watching Rodgers play on a great Jets team would have been a lot of fun. Hopefully, the injury isn't too serious.