CNN
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The last time Aaron Rodgers played in the NFL at MetLife Stadium, he lasted just four snaps before a torn Achilles tendon ended his season in Week 1 of the 2023 season.

On Thursday — more than a year after suffering the serious injury — the 40-year-old took the field for the second time as a New York Jet, but with much more success, leading his team to a comfortable 24-3 victory over the New England Patriots.

Rodgers defied his age in the win, moving with ease and effectiveness, eluding Patriots defenders and carving up the New England defense with his throws.

He finished with 281 yards through the air on 27 of 35 throws, two touchdowns — one each to Allen Lazard and Garrett Wilson — and no interceptions. He also rushed three times for 18 yards. Breece Hall added a rushing touchdown to help in the comfortable victory.

Remarkably, Wilson became the first wide receiver drafted in the first round to throw a touchdown pass from Rodgers, despite it being the four-time NFL MVP’s 480th TD of his illustrious career.

Rodgers was serenaded by Jets fans chanting his name throughout the game, and afterward the quarterback called Thursday a “very special night.”

“I felt really good out there,” Rodgers told reporters. “I felt really good in pregame and I’ve made progress. I told you guys after Week 1 that it was going to be a process of continuing to extend plays as I get more comfortable, and this was kind of the first step in playing the way I know I can play. I felt like I was myself a couple years ago.”

When asked about his return to the field at MetLife Stadium, Rodgers added: “I felt really calm about it, honestly, I didn’t really think about it that much.

“It was obviously emotional coming home for the first time since then, but I really think the first week has taken away a lot of the fears and worries of playing, and tonight I feel like I played quite freely.”

The Jets struggled last season with Rodgers on the sidelines, but in their third game of the season with the Super Bowl XLV champions at the helm, things seemed to fall into place for New York.

Not only was Rodgers masterful at orchestrating the offense, but the Jets’ running game was dynamic — the powerful one-two punch of Hall and Braelon Allen combined for 27 rushes and 109 yards on the ground — while the revamped offensive line held up under pressure to give Rodgers time in the pocket.

It was a disappointing night for the Patriots, as they were soundly outclassed by their AFC East rivals.

However, Thursday’s loss did give New England fans their first chance to see quarterback Drake Maye, a 2024 first-round draft pick, in regular-season action.

Maye — who was selected with the third pick in this year’s draft — was named the team’s backup behind veteran Jacoby Brissett. But after Brissett was stymied by a fierce Jets defense, Maye was brought in midway through the fourth quarter to get his first NFL taste.

The 22-year-old completed four of his eight passes for 22 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions, and ran twice for 12 yards. He also didn’t exactly get a warm welcome back into the competition from New York’s defense, taking some heavy hits, including two sacks.