New York Jets injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers took a significant step in his return from injury on Sunday. For the first time since undergoing surgery on his torn Achilles, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback rejoined his team on the sidelines for their Week 4 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Jets still ended up losing to the defending champs, but there’s no denying that New York played some inspired football against Patrick Mahomes and Co. In fact, this was the best they looked since their season-opening win against the Buffalo Bills.

Aaron Rodgers Rejoins New York Jets

Rodgers recently opened up about what it means to him to be able to rejoin his team. Obviously, the four-time MVP was not able to play and help his teammates against the Chiefs. However, the fact that he was able to step on the field was a special moment for the 39-year-old:

“To be able to walk back on the field with the little assistance, with the crutches, was pretty special,” Rodgers said on a recent episode of The Pat McAfee Show (h/t Rich Cimini of ESPN). “Just to be in the locker room with the guys and talk to them Saturday night [in a meeting], and just feel the energy and the excitement, was everything I needed.”

It’s a long road ahead for Rodgers. At this point, it’s all about celebrating the small wins.

Aaron Rodgers Disappointed With Leak

As Rodgers said, he also took pleasure in being able to address his teammates during Saturday’s team meeting. However, the 10-time Pro Bowler did not appreciate the fact that his message got leaked for public consumption. In his mind, these are the things that they have to keep behind closed doors:

“We need to learn as organization that some things need to be kept in-house, some things need to be — we’ve got to tighten the ship up a little bit,” he said.

Hopefully, his teammates hear Rodgers’ message loud and clear. Not only the fact that he wants to keep things under wraps, but more importantly, that they should all work together toward a solitary goal.

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