Mom of Jets’ backup QB Zach Wilson insists Aaron Rodgers’ injury is ‘heartbreaking’ as
Zach Wilson’s mom, Lisa Neelman Wilson, thanked fans for their support after her son stepped in for the New York Jets following Aaron Rodgers’ ‘heartbreaking’ injury Monday night.
Rodgers’ Jets career got off to the worst start imaginable Monday night when he exited New York’s win over the Buffalo Bills after injuring his left ankle.
Coach Robert Saleh admitted it’s ‘not good’ and that he believes Rodgers has an Achilles injury, amid fears the quarterback’s season is over.
Backup quarterback Wilson, 23, stepped in just 3:45 into the game as the veteran was helped on to a cart and driven away for an X-Ray, ultimately leading the Jets to a 22-16 win at a rainy MetLife Stadium.
Despite previously saying he would ‘make that dude’s life hell’ if the Jets signed a veteran quarterback, Wilson has closely studied Rodgers throughout the preseason with the four-time MVP acting as a mentor.
Zach Wilson’s (second right) mom, Lisa Neelman Wilson (far right), thanked fans for their support after her son stepped in for the Jets following Aaron Rodgers’ (left) injury
Lisa described Rodgers’ injury as ‘heartbreaking’ after he had been a mentor for her son
Lisa also took to her Instagram stories to thank fans for their ‘love and support’
Wilson’s mom, Lisa, took to Instagram following Rodgers’ injury, writing on her story: ‘We love @aaronrodgers12. He’s been such a great mentor. Heartbreaking.’
In a separate story, Lisa also thanked fans for their support, admitting it was tough to watch her son step in.
She wrote: ‘Watching your kids do hard things, is so much harder than doing them yourself. Not the evening we expected… Just trying to catch my breathe [sic]. I am so overwhelmed by love and support. Literally hundreds of texts and DMs. Some I know and many I have never met. Just know I see you, I can feel you carrying me and I am so grateful to have such amazing people surrounding me and my family. Thank you.’
Rodgers dropped back on first down from the Jets’ 43-yard-line and tried to roll out to his left before being sacked by Floyd for a loss of 10 yards. But his left foot appeared to get stuck in the Jets’ turf as he was being tackled.
The Jets still managed to pull off a sensational win with Xavier Gipson’s winning 65-yard punt return touchdown in overtime sending MetLife Stadium wild.
Rodgers agreed to a restructured contract in July that gives him $75 million in fully guaranteed money over this season and the next. It amounts to a nearly $35 million pay cut from the deal he had in Green Bay.
Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick, reportedly had followed Rodgers around like a ‘puppy’ during preseason.
‘You would think that there’s Velcro between Zach Wilson and Aaron Rodgers,’ King told Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk in July.
Rodgers hurt his ankle getting sacked by Leonard Floyd minutes into his Jets debut
Rodgers, 39, dropped to the ground and needed medical assistance straight away
As he was carted away from the field, Rodgers was seen wearing a protective boot
Wilson, 23, is said to have stuck to the veteran quarterback’s side throughout preseason
Wilson was previously accused of sleeping with his mom’s best friend by his ex-girlfriend
‘Zach Wilson is like the puppy to the side of Aaron Rodgers. He is always talking to him, he’s always trying to suck out information from him.
‘Because, I’m sure – I didn’t talk to Zach Wilson – but I’m sure Zach Wilson figures “Hey, we do this for two years, and in training camp 2025, whatever, I get a real, legitimate chance to be a quarterback again”, and that’s how he is taking this.’
Rodgers had spoken glowingly of the 23-year-old, insisting that, despite Wilson’s previous comments, he had made him feel welcome in New York.
‘He’s been incredible,’ Rodgers said in June. ‘He hasn’t made my life hell everyday. He’s been a joy to work with and I give him so much credit because it´s a tough situation what he went through.’
It is a stark contrast to Wilson’s last offseason when his ex-girlfriend accused him of sleeping with his mom’s best friend.
Abbey Gile made the accusations after she was slammed a ‘homie hopper’ when reports surfaced that she was dating Wilson’s college roommate and best friend, Washington Commanders wide receiver Dax Milne.
At the time Lisa told DailyMail.com: ‘She (Abbey) is a very angry girl.’