Aaron Rodgers Rocks MetLife Stadium in Productive Debut

Gang Green's QB engineers first-quarter TD drive against the Giants

Aaron Rodgers gave the New York Jets' fans what they came to see on Saturday evening at MetLife Stadium. 

The cheers were heard as the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback made his way onto the field for the Jets' first offensive series and there were more audible bursts of joy when Rodgers hooked up with Garrett Wilson on a 14-yard scoring strike 5:37 into the opening quarter.

"I loosened up pretty good when I got the ovation when I took the field. That was a special moment," said Rodgers.

The savvy signal caller finished 5-of-8 passing for 47 yards and one touchdown.

The touchdown, which gave Gang Green a 7-0 lead, came on the Jets' second possession of the preseason rivalry game against the New York Giants.

With the Green & White facing a 3rd-and-4 from the Giants' 46-yard line, Rodgers launched a pass 20 yards down the right sideline for Wilson. The reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year almost made a spectacular grab, but settled for a 22-yard gain thanks to a pass interference infraction by Big Blue defensive back Amani Oruwariye.

Rodgers hit Mecole Hardman on a quick rollout for a 10-yard gain from the Giants' 24. On the next snap, the four-time NFL MVP spotted Wilson in single coverage and gave the WR1 an opportunity to beat Gemon Green for the TD.

"Just a great throw from Aaron," said Wilson about the scoring play. "He's so precise and has an answer to everything we see. Just gotta do my job at that point and finish the catch."

The Rodgers-Wilson connection appeared to be in mid-season form. The second-year receiver pulled in all three of his targets for 30 yards.

"Aaron makes football a whole lot of fun," said Wilson.

The 39-year-old Rodgers completed his first three pass attempts, two of which went to Wilson, of the night. 

"Garrett, special football player. Obviously, he [Rodgers] trusts him," said Green & White head coach Robert Saleh.

Opening the Jets' first possession from their own 21, Rodgers started by firing a quick hitter to Wilson on the left side of the formation for a 10-yard gain plus 15 yards on a defensive facemask penalty.

The drive stalled at the Gang Green 44-yard line after back-to-back incompletions. The Giants dialed up a zero blitz on second down to force an errant pass. Then, on third down, Rodgers escaped a sack and threw the ball away near the sideline.

After two drives, Rodgers gave way to quarterback Zach Wilson. The grizzled veteran's first preseason action since 2018 officially lasted nine plays.

Veteran backup Tyrod Taylor handled starting quarterback duties for the Giants, who managed -1 net yard through their first seven snaps on offense.

Jets' QB Aaron Rodgers (8) / © Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

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