NY Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending torn Achilles injury

The GIST: Monday Night Football ended the same way it started — with football fans in shock. Following the Jets’ stunning 22–16 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills, both teams have been the subject of headlines of the sad and SMH variety.

Aaron Rodgers: With a record 22.6M watching, the QB, who left the Green Bay Packers in a massive blockbuster trade this offseason, had to be helped off the field minutes into his Jets debut, and was later diagnosed with a torn left Achilles. Rodgers’ foot appeared to get stuck in MetLife Stadium’s brand new turf, causing his leg to twist unnaturally.

• Rodgers’ season-ending (and perhaps career-ending) injury has renewed the ongoing turf vs. grass debate, with many players expressing their dismay that some stadiums use artificial surfaces, which are stickier and have less give than traditional grass.

• While the Green Machine have reportedly started to reach out to veteran QBs (and some are apparently tossing their own hats in the ring), head coach (HC) Robert Saleh made a bold statement yesterday, declaring former starting QB Zach Wilson as QB1 once again. Here goes nothing.

Buffalo Bills: A lawsuit filed yesterday claims that Bills owner Terry Pegula made a “highly offensive and racist” comment about Black NFL players in 2020 while speaking about the league’s social justice initiatives.

• The lawsuit, which was filed by former NFL Network reporter Jim Trotter, names the NFL and the NFL Network as defendants, alleging that Trotter was fired from the outlet because he challenged Commissioner Roger Goodell and others regarding the NFL’s “record of race discrimination and lack of diversity.”

• Speaking of, Trotter is represented by the same law firm as former Miami Dolphins HC Brian Flores, who submitted a game-changing lawsuit last year alleging racism in the league’s hiring practices. No amount of endzone paint can cover this sh!t up.