Jets' Aaron Rodgers Expresses 'Gratitude' After Return from Achilles Injury Rehab

Despite the New York Jets losing their season opener 32-19 to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, star quarterback Aaron Rodgers still found a reason to be happy.

Rodgers, who was playing in his first game since suffering a torn Achilles in the 2023 season opener, said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show that he felt a sense of "gratitude" after the game despite the disappointing result:

Rodgers said he took some time before the game to reflect on how much it took for him to get back to the point of being fully healthy and able to return to action.

"It was such a long road. I thought about all of the different things that happened over the last year," he said. "Tomorrow is a year since the injury, a lot's changed in my life in the last year. So I just felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. ... A lot of things were hitting me, 20th season, all the rehab that happened, all the ups and downs of the last year."

The 40-year-old added that he was able to lock in once he heard the national anthem before kickoff.

"The anthem hit and I just had a big calm that just came over me and all the anxiety around getting hit and staying healthy just left my body and I went out there and felt at ease about being back on the field, so it was cool," Rodgers said.

Rodgers finished with 167 yards, a touchdown and an interception while completing 13 of his 21 passes. While there was some rust from sitting out for so long, he showed flashes of still being the four-time NFL MVP that fans are accustomed to seeing.

Rodgers and the Jets will try to build off the positives in Monday's loss and carry them to their Week 2 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.