Aaron Rodgers has 'a lot of emotions' going into Jets home opener vs. Patriots

NEW YORK — The Jets home opener last year was electric and full of optimism and excitement, mainly because it was Aaron Rodgers’ first start with the team.

Many fans remember Rodgers running out onto the field with the American flag during pregame introductions, which, according to him, was an idea on the spur of the moment. They also remember that four plays into his debut, Rodgers tore his Achilles and missed the rest of the season.

Over a year after the injury, Rodgers says he feels good about his second home opener against the Patriots on Thursday Night Football.

“It has been a long time since I took the field at [MetLife Stadium], so a lot of emotions for sure,” Rodgers said on Tuesday. “But thankfully, we are already into the third game of the season. Played two full games, body feels good as good as it can on a short week.

“If you love the game, it will always be emotional. There will be emotion this week as it always is during the year and seeing the crowd and night game, the excitement driving up to the stadium, and seeing the tailgates happening. It’s always fun.”

Rodgers, 40, and the Jets played their first two games of the season on the road as the offense continues to work out some rust after not playing at all during the preseason. The results have been a mixed bag.

During that span, Rodgers has passed for 343 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Gang Green has also scored three touchdowns in back-to-back games. Last year, the Jets went the entire season without scoring three offensive touchdowns in consecutive weeks.

However, the team’s offense got off to slow starts in the first half against the 49ers and the Titans. The Jets went into halftime trailing in both games. With the help of Rodgers, after he went 5 for 5 on their final offensive possession, Jets running back Braelon Allen scored on a game-winning 20-yard touchdown run to defeat the Titans, 24-17.

“I feel like once you get rolling, you can start hot,” Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson said. “It can kind of fuel the rest of the game and it is something that we are working on.

“We haven’t done it much the last couple of years. So if we can start hot, let’s see where that puts us going throughout the rest of the game.”

Rodgers and the Jets will face a Patriots team that’s played better than expected to start the season. New England lost to Seattle, 23-20, in overtime on Sunday and upset Cincinnati, 16-10, in Week 1.

While Bill Belichick is no longer on the Patriots’ sideline and the team is currently rebuilding with younger players and veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett being a placeholder for 2024 No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye, coach Jerod Mayo has maintained many of the same defensive philosophies. New England still relies on its defensive line to get pressure and drop seven to force teams to beat them in coverage.

But Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith torched the Patriots’ defense, completing 33 of 44 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown.

Rodgers is still working his way back to form, but the Jets have relied on the two-headed rushing attack from Allen and Breece Hall, who combined for 170 all-purpose yards in the win against Tennessee.

“They played pretty good in two weeks,” Rodgers said about the Patriots defense. “They gave up 10 and 23 [points]. They are a typical Patriots defense and they play really sound football. Smart, they have a lot of technique you don’t see from other teams.

“As far as the defensive line stuff, the front often disguises the pressure really well. The backend seems to be playing pretty well together. It’s a really stout, smart defense front to back.”

Injury report

Gang Green conducted a walkthrough on Tuesday because of the back-to-back short weeks with the game against the Patriots on Thursday. The status of a few critical defensive players remain up in the air.

D.J. Reed (knee soreness) and C.J. Mosley (toe) will likely be game-time decisions, but according to Jets head coach Robert Saleh, both are progressing well. Reed participated fully in Tuesday’s walkthrough, while Mosley did not practice.

Reed missed last Sunday’s game against the Titans after testing his knee during pregame warmups. Brandin Echols started for Reed and recorded five tackles and an interception.

Mosley left the game against Tennessee in the second quarter and did not return. The Jets use two linebackers in their base defense, and Jamien Sherwood replaced Mosley, who was a key figure in containing the Titans’ defense. Sherwood finished with nine tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.

“I have a lot of faith in Sherwood,” Saleh said. “Super comfortable with Jamien. He has done a phenomenal job developing as a professional football player.

“Full confidence in him to call the defense, make the checks that need to be made. He has elite mental speed and elite communication skills. Not worried about him playing ball at all.”

Saleh said nickel cornerback Michael Carter II would be “fine” after re-aggravating the ankle injury he has been dealing with since training camp. Carter missed a few snaps during the game against the Titans, but Saleh said the injury will be an “on-and-off thing” throughout the season. Carter fully participated in practice on Tuesday.