The New York Jets‘ massive victory over the New England Patriots at home last Thursday had the crowd at MetLife Stadium roaring like it hasn’t roared in years. And it has to be said, Aaron Rodgers was the man of the hour. It was like poetry on the field, the whole team moving synchronously. Immediately after the win, Rodgers spoke to the press and said he was “doing some things (he) did as a younger man.” And he did look like prime Aaron Rodgers out on the field. During the game, though, the press noticed an unusual interaction. Jets coach Robert Saleh came up to Rodgers for a hug but seemed to get a shove instead.

This came on the tail of anonymous reports that the New York Jets were in “disarray” in August. Well, right out of the gates, Rodgers was quick to shut down any rumors that he was beefing with Saleh. He made it clear that the hug had just been unexpected. “He’s not a big hugger,” he said, talking about how he’d just been caught off guard. But it was too juicy to be left alone, especially for football talk show hosts. Pat McAfee, former Indianapolis Colts punter, and present Pat McAfee Show host, decided to bring it up earlier this week.

Interrogating Rodgers about the team culture and how people deal with it when he decides to “push the head coach and tell him to go f— himself,” McAfee took the opportunity to mime the gesture. Rodgers responded “I would say the culture is about the opposite of what that article said,” before clarifying he hadn’t read the article. But he did joke, “Just reading that headline, sounds like it was written by Haason Reddick’s agent.”

This was, of course, in reference to the controversy around Haason Reddick’s holdout. Reddick is a genuinely gifted player, a talented linebacker, and a potential asset for the Jets. If only he would actually play for them. Feeling he has been underpaid, Reddick has been eating fines and missing games at an insane rate ever since he was transferred by the Eagles (more than $2 million in fines for missing training camp, and reportedly around $850,000 per game he doesn’t play). He refuses to come back to the field until negotiations for a better contract are worked out. And the Jets, parallelly, refuse to come to the table unless Reddick ends his holdout. It’s a messy game, and it looks like Reddick’s the loser, he might need them more than they need him.

Regardless, Rodgers’ joke was a dig at Reddick, apparently firing his agent over his failure to negotiate a better contract. Seeing Rodgers in good humor is sure to leave Jets fans optimistic.

Is Aaron Rodgers “back”?

Its obvious fans were apprehensive after what happened to Rodgers last year. Though this is his 2nd year with the Jets, the Patriots game was only his 4th one with them. His very first game for the Jets, at the very same stadium, he’d suffered an Achilles tendon rupture. Now, NFL players have come back from worse, but how many of them were 39 when they were injured? This year, Rodgers is not only the oldest quarterback in the league, he is the oldest player, period. But you couldn’t tell, looking at him on the field.

Even Bill Belichick warned teams not to underestimate Aaron Rodgers and his boys. And who better to learn that lesson than the Patriots? With the quarterback in terrifying form, and his offense flowing as one smooth, coordinated unit, I think it’s safe to say Rodgers is back. May this year be his swansong.

If you’re keen on keeping up with movers and shakers in the NFL this season, be sure to check out our latest Think Tank Exclusive, featuring Doug Sanders.