Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson embrace in heartfelt reunion ahead of NY Jets-Broncos game

It wasn't long ago that NY Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a mentor on and off the field to his former teammate Zach Wilson. Now, the two quarterbacks are on opposite sides entering their teams' Week 4 matchups.

Rodgers is leading a Jets team that is hoping to improve to 3-1 following a dominant victory over their bitter rivals in Week 3. Wilson, on the other hand, is the third-string quarterback in Denver, sitting behind rookie Bo Nix and journeyman Jarrett Stidham on the Broncos' depth chart.

Wilson isn't expected to play in today's game, but he and Rodgers made sure to have a little pre-game reunion at midfield prior to kickoff at 1 pm ET.

Rodgers and Wilson were seen dapping each other up, hugging, and chatting for a couple of minutes during pre-game warm-ups on Sunday. It's unclear what the two quarterbacks said to one another, but they appeared chummy and amiable as if they were old friends catching up.

Aaron Rodgers and Zach Wilson reunite ahead of NY Jets-Broncos game

Wilson was forced to step in for Rodgers following the latter's tragic Achilles injury in September of last year. The belief going into the season was that Wilson would serve as Rodgers' backup, learning from one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time as his understudy.

Plans changed quickly, as Wilson was thrust into the starting lineup. He'd struggle mightily, eventually finding himself benched for Tim Boyle before returning to the field briefly late in the season.

The Jets parted ways with Wilson in the offseason, sending him to the Broncos as part of a swap of future Day 3 draft picks. The former BYU quarterback turned some heads this summer but ultimately couldn't beat out either Nix for the starting job or Stidham for the backup job.

Rodgers told reporters this past week that he and Wilson have remained in contact and chat "here and there." Despite his struggles in New York, the Jets have publicly expressed support for Wilson, with head coach Robert Saleh speaking highly of his former QB last week.

That support only goes so far, however. Wilson is the enemy today, even if he's not expected to play. Rodgers and Wilson may have shared a friendly exchange prior to kickoff, but there will be no love lost when the Jets and Broncos take the field today.

More NY Jets news and analysis: