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- Aaron Rodgers wins first full game with Jets: ‘Long time coming’ (newsbreak.com)
**NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After 623 days, Aaron Rodgers finally exited the field as a winning quarterback once more.**
On Sunday at Nissan Stadium, Rodgers led the New York Jets to an electrifying 24-17 win against the Tennessee Titans. Although the game wasn’t high-scoring, Rodgers delivered a flawless performance in the decisive fourth-quarter drive, sealing the victory.
Reflecting on the win, Rodgers cherished every moment, from his precise play-calling that resulted in three touchdowns to his exchanges with Titans’ defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who had labeled Rodgers a “crybaby” during the game.
“It feels amazing,” said the 40-year-old Rodgers, aiming to avoid the first 0-2 start of his two-decade career. “It was a long-awaited victory.”
“These are the games you look back on at the end of the season, grateful for the win because to be a great team, you have to win in tough environments against competitive teams like this.”
Rodgers had last won on January 1, 2023, in his penultimate game with the Green Bay Packers. Technically, he was credited with a win in the Jets’ 2023 opener despite playing only four snaps before rupturing his left Achilles. This marked his first full game win with the Jets, now 1-1.
In crunch time, the four-time MVP excelled, orchestrating a seven-play, 74-yard drive ending with rookie running back Braelon Allen’s second touchdown, a 20-yard run with 4:31 remaining. Rodgers was perfect on the drive, completing all five pass attempts for 60 yards, including key passes to Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams.
“He’s like a maestro,” Allen said about Rodgers.
Tight end Tyler Conklin added, “Aaron displayed his classic flair out there.”
Desperate for a victory after an ugly loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Jets’ defense stepped up. Despite losing defensive end Jermaine Johnson (Achilles) and linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) during the game, they secured a crucial fourth-down stop in the final seconds.
Teammates and coach Robert Saleh praised Rodgers for his composure in those final moments, highlighting the value of his experience.
“He’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer with long-standing success,” Saleh noted. “Having someone of his presence in the huddle, for many who haven’t experienced everything, is monumental.”
Rodgers finished 18-for-30 with 176 passing yards, marking his 24th consecutive game under 300 yards, the longest such stretch of his career. However, he threw touchdowns to Braelon Allen on a 12-yard screen pass and to Breece Hall on a 26-yard pass, marking the first time since 1994 that two different Jets running backs caught touchdown passes in the same game.
Rodgers suggested the play for Allen’s touchdown to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett – a pump fake to Hall followed by a quick pass to Allen, which worked to perfection.
Rodgers detailed the setup for Hall’s score, “I messed up the clock and called a timeout. Breece suggested throwing him the ball if a linebacker was out there. I agreed.”
With Hall lined up wide right, covered by linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., Rodgers executed the plan flawlessly, capitalizing on the mismatch.
“You just know you’re going to win with Rodgers,” said the 20-year-old Allen, highlighting Rodgers’ clutch performances over two decades. Allen, who grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, watching Rodgers with the Packers, relished scoring the winning touchdown in Rodgers’ first Jets win. He modestly credited his offensive line, saying the opening was so large “even my nana could score.”
Rodgers humorously ended the day, exchanging playful banter with Simmons, who had a critical roughing-the-passer penalty.
“He called me some mean names,” Rodgers laughed, revealing he teased Simmons back with “crybaby” after the penalty.
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- Aaron Rodgers wins first full game with Jets: ‘Long time coming’ (newsbreak.com)