Aaron Rodgers was back on the Jets’ sideline early Sunday evening, leaning on his crutches while chatting up his teammates and coaches in his first trip back to MetLife Stadium since tearing his Achilles in the season opener.
Rodgers watched the Jets’ 23-20 loss to the Chiefs from a suite, but his presence was felt from the time he addressed the team Saturday night at the hotel.
“I’m not sure about today but [Saturday] was outstanding to have him back and to talk to the team,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “His teammates love him. We love him. He loves his teammates. I’m just glad he’s back around the building.
“I’ve told you guys he’s an unbelievable human. He really is. Just his presence I think … it’s like a family. It’s like big brother just walked back in for those guys in the locker room.”
Before the game, Rodgers lent further credence to his contention following surgery last month that he hopes to play again this year.
NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark said Rodgers told her that “his plan is to rejoin the team permanently after their Week 7 bye” and “his goal is to play again this season.”
Stark added that Rodgers would return to his California home this week and have his stitches removed before coming back to the Jets after the bye on Oct. 22
“It’s always exciting to see the big brother. I can’t wait to get him on the sideline with us,” quarterback Zach Wilson said, adding that Rodgers’ message to the team Saturday night was to “stick together.”
Former Packers teammate Allen Lazard likened Rodgers’ return Saturday night to “Batman returning.”
Fox’s Jay Glazer also reported that Rodgers told the team to “stop pointing fingers” amid a losing streak that was extended to three games.
During pregame warm-ups, Rodgers walked onto the field using crutches and spent some time chatting with NBC broadcaster Mike Tirico on the Jets’ bench. He then stood on the sideline and several Chiefs, including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, came over to talk to him.
“It was great just to see him, and see him in good spirits. The last time he was here, that wasn’t the face that we saw,” Jets receiver Garrett Wilson said. “Just to erase that out of your mind and have a new picture of Aaron in your head, that’s a happy Aaron, that loves to be around us and will be happy to talk ball. So it’s great to have him around.
“If you can’t wake up for Sunday night against the Chiefs, you don’t need to be playing ball. But when you got Aaron showing up, it definitely added something to that.”
— additional reporting by Brian Costello