12 September 2023 , 14:18
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New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is gutted that Aaron Rodgers' season may already be over, but he's promised to do him proud while he recovers on the sidelines.
After months of anticipation and excitement, Rodgers finally made his debut for the Jets, in front of a sell-out crowd for Monday Night Football at home against the Buffalo Bills. It was expected that the four-time MVP would take the Jets to the next level, and it would only make Wilson - 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year - even more dangerous.
But disaster struck on Rodgers' opening drive as he suffered a suspected Achilles tear, and now it's feared his season is over before it even began. The Jets managed to secure a dramatic 22-16 overtime win in his absence, and Wilson still managed to score a touchdown in regulation with a spectacular catch.
Wilson was ecstatic that the Jets were already 1-0 against a divisional rival but reflected on the loss of Rodgers after the game. Rather than dwell on it though, he's driven to make Rodgers proud and sent a warning to their future opponents.
The receiver was one of many Jets players to console Rodgers at halftime, and revealed to reporters after the game what he said to the veteran. "I said ‘I love you brother’. I love him, we’re gonna do all we can to do this in his honour," Wilson said.
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"The impact he’s had on this team already is special. I said my prayer for Aaron Rodgers. It’s just the reality of the game that we play, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t lingering in the back of my head the whole time.
"As soon as I came in for halftime I made sure to check on my dawg. To see him go down in his 1st game, so quickly in, I mean it sucks man. I’m gonna keep him in my prayers. It just sucks."
Aaron Rodgers suffered an ankle injury after being sacked in the first quarterThe injury to Rodgers is "not good" according to head coach Robert Saleh, who addressed the situation in his post-game press conference before taking any questions. Saleh confirmed that Rodgers was awaiting MRI scan results, but that he could tell by the quarterback's expression that his season may be over.
Against the odds it means that Zach Wilson could be their starter for the 2023 season, with the 24-year-old expecting to act as their back-up while Rodgers took control. The quarterback made a slow start when replacing Rodgers, but threw for 140 yards and found Garrett Wilson in the endzone to tie the game in the fourth quarter, before both teams scored late field goals to force overtime.
"When we came in for halftime, Zach Wilson rallied the guys on offense & said we had to make a statement and we had to go win this game," Garrett Wilson revealed. "Zach balled man. He balled in the 2nd half. He just went out there and let it loose. Slung it around. Me and Zach are excited to get to work."