Aaron Rodgers could have gotten his swagger again. The New York Jets quarterback put collectively a classic efficiency within the group’s 24-3 blowout victory over the New England Patriots on Thursday night time. Stepping onto the MetLife Stadium discipline for the primary regular-season sport since struggling that notorious Achilles tear simply 4 snaps into his 2023 season, Rodgers regarded like, nicely, Aaron Rodgers.
The four-time NFL MVP put collectively his finest efficiency on the younger season, finishing 27 of his 35 passes for 281 yards and two passing touchdowns. These numbers are spectacular on their very own, however how Rodgers executed on the sector — notably his mobility — was what stood out and flashed how excessive New York’s ceiling is with him underneath heart.
“I felt fairly good tonight,” Rodgers advised Prime Video’s Kaylee Hartung postgame. “I used to be doing a little issues I did as a youthful man. I’ve stated because the video games go on, I will really feel extra snug transferring round just a little bit. There have been a few occasions the place I wanted to increase performs, and the road did job holding up. … I used to do it loads after I was a youthful participant, however it’s good to have that component again.”
Rodgers’ potential to throw on the run on Thursday night time was noticeably extra prolific than the primary two weeks of the common season. In these prior contests, Rodgers accomplished simply one in all his 4 move makes an attempt on the run for six yards. In Week 3, Rodgers accomplished all 5 of his passes on the run (transferring 8-plus mph) for 62 yards and a landing, in accordance with Subsequent Gen Stats.
Within the second quarter, Rodgers moved the chain on a third-and-6 scenario, because of that newfound mobility. With the pocket collapsing in entrance of him, he rolled out to his left and located Allen Lazard for a working throw that went for 27 yards.
Within the third, Rodgers was working to his proper and capable of full a dart off his again foot to Garrett Wilson for the purple zone landing.
Whereas Rodgers was largely on the transfer to arrange the move on Thursday night time, he did present that he might take some abuse when tucking and working as nicely. Particularly, he did a unbelievable job on a second-and-9 play within the early portion of the third quarter. Rodgers evaded a would-be sack from Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings, climbed the pocket, and ran up the left sideline. As he was working out of bounds, Rodgers was hit awkwardly by defensive finish Keion White, however bounced proper again up.
Whereas that play doubtless made all of East Rutherford’s hearts cease, it is a key growth to see Rodgers be capable to take in that sort of awkward hit with relative ease.
New York’s offense had run a bit cold and warm by means of the primary two weeks of the season, however we may very well be a key turning level for the unit with Rodgers unlocking his mobility but once more. In that case, the Jets might show to be one of many extra harmful groups in what looks like a largely open AFC.