Zach Wilson’s mother, Lisa Neelman Wilson, thanked fans for their support after her son filled in for the New York Jets following Aaron Rodgers’ “heartbreaking” injury on Monday night.
Rodgers’ Jets career got off to the worst possible start Monday night when he left 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 as he fears the quarterback’s season is over.
Backup quarterback Wilson, 23, entered the game just 3:45 into the game when the veteran was helped onto a cart and wheeled 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 guy’s life hell” if the Jets signed a veteran quarterback, Wilson has closely followed Rodgers throughout the preseason, with the four-time MVP acting as a mentor.
Zach Wilson’s mother (second right), Lisa Neelman Wilson (far right), thanked fans for their support after her son signed for the Jets following Aaron Rodgers’ injury (left)
Lisa described Rodgers’ injury as “heartbreaking” after he mentored her son
Lisa also took to her Instagram Stories to thank fans for their ‘love and support’
Wilson’s mother, Lisa, took to Instagram after Rodgers’ injury, writing about her story: “We love @aaronrodgers12. He has been such a great mentor. Heartbreaking.’
In a separate story, Lisa also thanked fans for their support and admitted it was difficult seeing her son intervene.
She wrote, “Watching your kids do hard things is so much harder than doing them themselves. Not the night we expected…I’m just trying to catch my breath (sic). I am so overwhelmed with love and support. Literally hundreds of texts and DMs. Some I know and many I have never met. Just know that I see you, I feel you carrying me and I am so grateful that such wonderful people surround me and my family. Thank you.’
Rodgers dropped back on first down from the Jets’ 43-yard line and attempted 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’ grass as he was being tackled.
The Jets still managed to pull off a sensational victory with Xavier Gipson’s game-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 for this season and next. It amounts to a pay cut of almost $35 million from the deal he had in Green Bay.
Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick, had reportedly followed Rodgers around like a “puppy” during the preseason.
“You would think there would be Velcro between Zach Wilson and Aaron Rodgers,” King told Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk in July.
Rodgers hurt his ankle when he was sacked by Leonard Floyd minutes after his Jets debut
Rodgers, 39, fell to the ground and needed immediate medical attention
As he was led off the field, Rodgers was seen wearing a protective boot
The 23-year-old Wilson would have been at the veteran quarterback’s side throughout the preseason
Wilson was previously accused by his ex-girlfriend of sleeping with his mother’s best friend
“Zach Wilson is like the puppy next to Aaron Rodgers. He’s always talking to him, always trying to suck information out of him.
‘Cause I’m sure – I haven’t talked to Zach Wilson – but I’m sure Zach Wilson is thinking, ‘Hey, we’re doing this for two years, and in training camp 2025, whatever, I’m going to get a real, legitimate chance to be a quarterback again,” and that’s how he takes it.”
Rodgers had spoken highly of the 23-year-old, insisting that despite Wilson’s previous comments, he had made him feel welcome in New York.
“He was unbelievable,” Rodgers said in June. “He didn’t make my life hell every day. It was a pleasure to work with him and I give him so much credit because what he has been through is a difficult situation.”
It’s a stark contrast to Wilson’s last offseason, when his ex-girlfriend accused him of sleeping with his mother’s best friend.
Abbey Gile made the accusations after she was slammed as a “homie hopper” when reports surfaced that she was dating Wilson’s college roommate and best friend, Washington Commanders wide receiver Dax Milne.
Lisa told DailyMail.com at the time: ‘She (Abbey) is a very angry girl.’