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Everyone in green is rallying around Zach Wilson — even one pretty notable mentor who is working from a distance.

The Jets have done everything they can to prop up the young quarterback since Aaron Rodgers was lost for the season, talking up how much Wilson has improved since last season and instilling confidence in him with their positive words and actions.

And Rodgers also is doing his part.

While he may be off in Malibu, Calif., in the early stages of his recovery after surgery to repair the torn left Achilles tendon he suffered four plays into his Jets debut, Rodgers is doing his best to help out his replacement.

In an appearance Friday on “The Pat Mcafee Show,” Rodgers said he watched the entirety of the Jets’ loss to the Cowboys last Sunday and has been communicating daily with Wilson.

“I talk to Zach all the time,” Rodgers said. “I love Zach, Zach’s my guy. I’m pulling for him. We talk every single day. Just want him to go out and play free and confident this week. Bill Beilichick and the Patriots, Jets haven’t beaten them in a while. So good time to end the streak.”


  Aaron Rodgers shared on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he speaks with Zach Wilson daily, sharing advice from afar to his replacement. Youtube Aaron Rodgers shared on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he speaks with Zach Wilson daily, sharing advice from afar to his replacement. Youtube

From the moment Rodgers suffered the Achilles injury, Jets head coach Robert Saleh made it clear Wilson was his quarterback.

After the ugly loss Sunday to the Cowboys, several teammates huddled around Wilson in the locker room, and told him they believed in him.

On Friday, there were black T-shirts in each player’s locker that read: “I got your back.”

Garrett Wilson said the slogan is a team-wide mindset, to support each other through adversity.


  The Jets are hoping to have Aaron Rodgers around the team again soon. YouTube The Jets are hoping to have Aaron Rodgers around the team again soon. YouTube

Zach Wilson, who has yet to have success in the NFL, has dealt with his fair share of adversity, particularly against the Jets’ opponent Sunday, the Patriots. He’s 0-4 against them with seven interceptions.

“I just need to be smart with the ball,” Wilson.

Rodgers has made it clear he’s there for Wilson.

They have developed a close relationship that preceded Rodgers becoming his teammate.


  Aaron Rodgers on “The Pat McAffee Show.” YouTube Aaron Rodgers on “The Pat McAffee Show.” YouTube

They worked out together this offseason prior to the trade that brought Rodgers to the Jets, and built on that through this spring and summer.

The plan was for this to be a reset season of sorts for Wilson, the second-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft who struggled mightily in his first two years in the NFL.

But after Rodgers tore his Achilles, Wilson became the starter.

He helped the Jets rally past the Bills in Week 1 in overtime, but didn’t have much of a chance in an ugly Week 2 loss to the Cowboys in which the Jets’ offensive line was overwhelmed. 

Saleh expressed hope that Rodgers would return next week to be around the team.

Rodgers said he wanted to return soon, but only after he could walk. When that does happen, Rodgers doesn’t know where he will be on game days.

“I miss the guys. It’s hard to be away from them,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll be able to get there at some point. I don’t think I can be on the sidelines until I can evade guys running [into me]. I don’t know if I’ll be hanging out with Woody and Christopher [Johnson] in the owner’s box eating hot dogs.”

He added, with a smile: “I don’t eat hot dogs.”

Rodgers, 39, seemed to be in good spirits.

He admitted that he briefly wondered if that was it for him after suffering the injury, but that doubt didn’t last.

A week ago on ESPN, the four-time MVP suggested that “anything’s possible,” while hinting at a possible return in January if the Jets reached the playoffs. That, however, is unlikely for an injury that typically takes nine months to a year to heal.

On Friday, he said he didn’t want to put a timetable on when he could be back, but did say that there was recent progress that has “the hope meter trending upwards.” He said he recently watched a Kobe Bryant documentary about his recovery after rupturing an Achilles at the age of 34, using it as inspiration. He said he has even imagined what it would be like to run through the MetLife Stadium tunnel again.

“I don’t feel like I’m done,” Rodgers said. “I’m gonna put myself in a position to be able to play again.”

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