Back in February, Aaron Rodgers revealed a candid conversation he had with the new Jets head coach, Aaron Glenn. Glenn expressed his concern that keeping the 41-year-old quarterback around could potentially destabilize his new regime.

Glenn’s intuition seemed spot on. On Sunday, Rodgers indeed proved to be a disruptive presence in the rebuilding efforts at 1 Jets Drive. However, it was in a way that Glenn might not have expected.

Jets fans, having endured much heartbreak and disappointment, approach each season with guarded optimism. To many, this moment felt like it was destined to happen.

The anticipated battle of attrition did not materialize. The game wasn’t a low-scoring clash between two transitioning teams. Concerns about one quarterback being too old and the other overwhelmed by guiding New York into a new era were put to rest.

This was absolute chaos. Brilliant, breathless drama, orchestrated by two wonderful performances under center. 

Rodgers—returning to the Jets after flirting with retirement—was met with boos and a sack on his first snap. Yet, he rebounded by delivering four touchdown passes in a classic performance.

Justin Fields, facing his former team, also delivered impressive feats, rushing for two touchdowns and throwing for another. Remarkably, no quarterback since 1948 had achieved 200 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and at least 50 rushing yards with two rushing scores in a season opener.

Fields played with such courage and control. He didn’t deserve to be on the losing team and around the quarterback there were so many other positives for Glenn’s new team. Running back Breece Hall, for instance, was immense. But after four quarters, which swung this way and that, it all came down to a kick.

With the Jets leading 32-31 and barely a minute on the clock, Rodgers handed over responsibility to Chris Boswell. From 60 yards, he nailed it. ‘Our kicker is a serial killer,’ Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said afterwards.

Rodgers – who was abused all afternoon – pumped his fist and whipped up the visiting crowd. Then he stepped on to field one more time to take a knee and seal a stunning victory. It ended 34-32.

‘I was happy to beat everybody associated with the Jets,’ said Rodgers, who cupped his ear as he left the field. ‘It was nice to win, especially hearing some of the cat calls out there and the boo birds. 

‘I’m not sensitive about that, I expected that and kind of like that. But there were probably people in the organization that didn’t think I could play anymore. So it was nice to remind those people that I still can.’ 

Certainly the 41-year-old didn’t have many Sundays like this as a Jet. Electricity and anticipation spilled down from the stands of this stadium two years ago, when Rodgers emerged under a cloud of thick smoke, the Stars and Stripes in his right hand. It was the 22nd anniversary of September 11 and the start of his reign in New York. Four snaps later, Rodgers tore his Achilles and the dye was cast.

On Sunday, the 41-year-old trotted out of the opposite tunnel. And this time, boos rained down from above. This time, a sea of empty seats greeted Fields as he made his entrance to MetLife.

That was down to travel chaos, rather than apathy. Trains out of New York’s Penn Station had been delayed and disrupted all morning. But still it felt like a fitting illustration of all that has changed.

Thousands more Jets fans arrived in time to see Rodgers sacked at the first opportunity.  How they enjoyed that. But this debut lasted longer than four snaps. Much longer, too, than Rodgers’ last face-to-face encounter with Glenn.

Back in February, the quarterback flew all the way from California for a meeting with the new Jets hierarchy. It lasted just 15 minutes. Rodgers was told that New York was moving in a new direction and, before long, Fields had arrived on a $40m contract.

It took Rodgers another four months to confirm he was playing on. And by the time he agreed a $13.6m deal with Pittsburgh, he was a husband. Exactly who the 41-year-old has married remains a mystery. Rodgers has kept everything under wraps and that sparked wild conspiracy theories that the marriage was a hoax.

The quarterback hit out at those claims in a furious tirade on ESPN. And, on Sunday, he sent another message to his doubters. On his opening drive, Rodgers marshalled the Steelers 71 yards down the field. He found four different receivers, culminating in a 22-yard scoring pass to Ben Skowronek.

Fields hit back almost immediately. The 26-year-old led Pittsburgh to a 4-2 start last season before being replaced by Russell Wilson. And his first major contribution for the Jets was a 33-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson. Early in the second quarter, Braelon Allen forced his way over from eight yards out and, after a second field goal from Nick Folk, the Jets’ lead was nine.

But then came more Rodgers magic. Over nine plays and 65 yards, the quarterback led Pittsburgh back to the end zone.

By half-time, both offenses were firing and tempers had begun to flare. The game was so brilliantly poised. We had been spoiled, really. So perhaps it was inevitable that three consecutive punts would follow.

Thankfully, though, that proved only a brief pause in the chaos. First, Fields cemented the Jets’ advantage with a rushing touchdown before Rodgers reeled his old team in once more. After another steady drive, the quarterback found Jaylen Warren whose touchdown brought the Steelers back within touching distance.

Something was going to have to break this tit-for-tat and it arrived a few seconds later. As Xavier Gipson returned the kickoff, Kenneth Gainwell forced a fumble. Pittsburgh recovered the ball, Rodgers found Austin and suddenly the visitors had taken control.

But any fears that would be fatal for the Jets were extinguished when Fields fooled everyone inside MetLife with a fake handoff. The quarterback coasted in for another touchdown.

Then, for the second time, the Jets went for two. And for the second time, Glenn’s gamble failed. How crucial those two points would prove. How Rodgers enjoyed this.