Aaron Rodgers heaped praise on Tua Tagovailoa – but also warned the Miami Dolphins quarterback to “take care of himself”.

Back in Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season, Rodgers’ then-team the Green Bay Packers secured a 26-20 win over the Dolphins. Tagovailoa, who suffered a horrendous concussion earlier in that season against the Cincinnati Bengals, landed in concussion protocol once again in the defeat, leading to doubts over his playing future in the league.

These concerns have arisen again in 2024, with Tagovailoa going down against the Buffalo Bills and missing time as a result. While Rodgers outplayed his rival years ago, he was full of praise for the 26-year-old as the duo prepared to go head-to-head in an AFC East showdown on Sunday.

“Some of the stuff I actually said this week, I just really appreciate the way that he handles his business and his professionalism,” Rodgers told reporters in December 2022. “Just the way that he goes about speaking about his teammates, I think he’s got a really good humility about him. He’s a good humble kid. Very talented. I enjoyed watching him play in college. I like the way he goes about his business. I think he handles things the right way with a lot of class, a lot of respect.

“I told him to take care of himself, too. He’s had some pretty vicious hits this year. But he’s a good kid. He’s got a long career in the league to look forward to. There are days like this, but he still threw for a hell of a lot of yards, and they’ve got a lot of great weapons, and they’re still in the hunt, as well.”

Fast forward to 2024, and both Rodgers and Tagovailoa are under pressure amid their respective teams’ failed seasons. Following his missed time with a concussion, Tagovailoa’s Dolphins sit at 5-7 while Rodgers’ New York Jets – who harbored Super Bowl aspirations heading into the season – are 3-9.

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Tua Tagovailoa has impressed in 2024 but the quarterback's inability to stay healthy hindered the Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa has impressed in 2024 but the quarterback’s inability to stay healthy hindered the Miami Dolphins ( 

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In last week’s 26-21 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Rodgers missed throws to both Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson as the Jets surrendered a 14-point lead to lose. Sunday marked the third straight game Rodgers has passed for under 200 passing yards and the 35th successive game under 300 yards.

Jets head coach Jeff Ulbrich blamed Rodgers’ injuries for his poor performances, leading to suggestions the 41-year-old could be benched for backup Tyrod Taylor. However, on Monday – Rodgers’ 41st birthday – Ulbrich declared Rodgers would start in the Jets’ Week 14 matchup at Miami.

“We have great belief in Aaron, we really do,” Ulbrich said. “We think he gives us the best opportunity to win. After assessing yesterday’s game, I thought there were moments in the first half where you saw Aaron Rodgers. I thought there were moments even in the second half, you saw Aaron Rodgers. And then there are moments where he didn’t play to his standard and he would tell you the same.

“We believe he gives us the best opportunity to win, so he’s our quarterback.”

The Jets are set to miss the playoffs for a 14th straight year – the longest drought in North American sports – while the franchise will have a losing record for the ninth consecutive year. When asked if Rodgers would remain the Jets’ starting quarterback for the season or if his job would be assessed week to week, Ulbrich declared: “No, he’s our quarterback.”

Rodgers’ Jets take on Tagovailoa’s Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 8.