Patriots
Aaron Rodgers is not any stranger to playing against the New England Patriots.
Although the longer term Hall of Famer spent most of his profession within the NFC with the Green Bay Packers, he played 4 games against New England – and had a 2-2 record against Bill Belichick and Co.
Of course, loads has modified in Foxborough recently, as Belichick's 24-year tenure in New England is over and Jerod Mayo is now on the New England sidelines.
The reshuffled hierarchy in New England has not been lost on a seasoned veteran like Rodgers, especially after several clashes with Belichick and Tom Brady over time. In particular, the 40-year-old Rodgers believes it’ll be an adjustment to go up against a coach in Mayo who he used to play against on the sector.
Mayo, 38, was chosen in the primary round of the 2008 NFL Draft, three years after Rodgers was chosen by the Packers in the primary round of the 2005 NFL Draft.
“It's just a little weird when you're playing against head coaches you've played against before. You're playing against guys who could be your kids, you know?” Rodgers told reporters in New York on Tuesday“It’s a good reminder of how special it is to still be playing at 40.”
Thursday's primetime game at MetLife Stadium will likely be the primary time Rodgers plays because the Jets' quarterback against New England.
Rodgers played just 4 snaps in Week 1 of the 2023 season before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. Zach Wilson and Trevor Siemian began for New York within the Jets' two games against the Patriots last 12 months.
Rodgers and the Jets are 1-1 this season, with the veteran quarterback completing 31 of 51 passes for 343 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He could have a troublesome matchup against New England's secondary, especially second-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Speaking on ESPN's “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, Rodgers praised Gonzalez, who is anticipated to play a number of plays on Thursday against New York's top wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
“I think he's a great player,” Rodgers said of Gonzalez. “He was at our rehab in the offseason at the Achilles Factory. It wasn't Achilles rehab, but he was out there. I got to know him a little bit. He's a great kid. He's super, super talented. I mean, he's an elite player.”
Gonzalez was matched up against Wilson during their Week 3 meeting in 2023, with Wilson limited to 3 catches and 18 yards on 23 routes in New England's 15-10 win.
Of course, Thursday's prime-time showdown will likely be far more difficult for Gonzalez and the New England defense with Rodgers at quarterback as a substitute of Zach Wilson.
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