Aaron Rodgers and Tua Tagovailoa will meet at the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday when the Miami Dolphins play host to the New York Jets.

Following a 5-7 start to the season, the Dolphins currently sit second in the AFC East and head into the fixture fresh off the back of a 30-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The Jets, meanwhile, have accrued a lacklustre record of 3-9 in the season thus far, unable to find a victory in their last three games against the Arizona Cardinals, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Seattle Seahawks.

However, both the Dolphins and the Jets have suffered unusual campaigns thus far. The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh in October following a disappointing start to the season, the first time in Woody Johnson’s 25-year tenure that he has axed a coach during the season.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich stepped up as interim head coach to see out the rest of the season, although it’s the first time that the 47-year-old has found himself in a leading position, previously only working as a co-ordinator and an assistant at the likes of the Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins have been without Tagovailoa for a large portion of the season courtesy of a third concussion in as many years in September. The 26-year-old collided with Buffalo Bills star Damar Hamlin during a scramble before being put on injured reserve – missing a minimum of four games while he passed the NFL’s concussion protocol.

And while many fans will hope to see a battle of two of the league’s most exciting throwers when the Dolphins meet the Jets on Sunday, Rodgers has shown a wealth of compassion to his opposing QB following his string of injuries over the past couple of seasons.

Tua Tagovailoa has suffered injuries over the years

Tua Tagovailoa has suffered injuries over the years ( 

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Rodgers first reached out to Tagovailoa in 2022 while he was playing for the Packers. Tagovailoa found himself on concussion protocol the day after the Dolphins’ meeting with the Packers in December 2022 – having already sustained a back injury earlier in the season – and Rodgers spoke with the youngster after the game with some caring words of advice.

Speaking to media after the game, Rodgers explained: “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.”

Meanwhile, ahead of the game, Rodgers also showered Tagovailoa with praise despite knowing he had a tough task at hand playing against him, explaining: “I enjoy the way that he plays. He plays on time. He throws the ball accurately. Does a nice job with his eye control for a young player. Has obviously good pocket movement, can extend plays.

“He’s had a couple of pretty incredible fourth quarter comebacks this year where he’s been super efficient. He has some great weapons. Been impressed with the way he plays. I like the way he handles himself too. He handles himself with a lot of respect and class and there’s a lot to be said for that for a young player.”

Rodgers has been a force for the Jets

Rodgers has been a force for the Jets ( 

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Getty Images)

And it’s not the first time that Rodgers has shown a touch of class and a caring mentality to his fellow NFL superstars, either. According to Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, the 41-year-old tried to touch base with Jaelan Phillips last November after the linebacker tore his Achilles at the MetLife in a win over the Jets.

Speaking about Rodgers, McDaniel said: “I don’t know him personally, but I’ve heard great things about Aaron Rodgers and the type of human being he is. I think he was working some channels to get in touch with Jaelan as of late night through a couple people that have some relationships with him.

“I think he’s a smart guy that’s not afraid to chase the most exotic sciences.” It came after Rodgers had also sustained the same injury just months earlier. Tagovailoa has recently received calls for his retirement after a string of concussions, with fans citing their concerns for his well-being.

However, the quarterback insists that no doctors have told him that he should walk away from the game – and that he has no plans of hanging up his cleats anytime soon. Speaking to ESPN recently, Tagovailoa said: “It never stuck in my mind that I was ever thinking of retiring. Whether the doctors told me that or not, it would have just been information for me.”

Rodgers, who has recently turned 41, is also being told to call time on his career after a difficult season with the Jets. The NFL star’s contract comes to an end next year, and he’s admitted he isn’t sure if he’ll carry on playing. Rodgers has however insisted that if he does continue past 2025 then he would like it to still be with the Jets.