It appeared as though the Buffalo Bills were going to take a 10-point lead into halftime over the New York Jets on Monday night. However, Jets star quarterback Aaron Rodgers had other plans as time expired in the first half.
Rodgers launched a Hail Mary attempt into the end zone and Allen Lazard came down with a 52-yard touchdown to put the Jets within a field goal at halftime as Buffalo led 20-17.
The NFL world rightfully reacted in a frenzy to Rodgers’ miraculous throw to end the first half.
NFL World Reacts to Aaron Rodgers 52-Yard Hail Mary Against Bills
Pro Football Network’s David Bearman shared a stat that showcases Rodgers’ impressive ability to complete Hail Mary attempts throughout his NFL career. PFN’s Kyle Soppe supplied the numbers, which included some surprising company alongside Rodgers.
QBs with 40-yd TD passes at end of half/game with 10 or less seconds since Rodgers was drafted (2005) per @KyleSoppePFN
Aaron Rodgers 4
Jameis Winston 2
Andy Dalton 2 https://t.co/J2vj1y5TPf— David Bearman (@DavidBearmanPFN) October 15, 2024
The official NFL account on X (formerly known as Twitter) reacted accordingly to Rodgers’ 52-yard touchdown to Lazard to end the first half. Rodgers is officially “The Hail Mary GOAT,” according to the league’s social media account.
The Hail Mary GOAT.
📺: #BUFvsNYJ on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/G7Zr5rEAmq— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2024
Kansas City Chiefs star QB Patrick Mahomes doesn’t understand how Rodgers is so good at completing Hail Mary passes. Mahomes jokingly questioned Rodgers’ ability in those situations.
Why is Aaron so good at that 😂😂😂
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) October 15, 2024
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James replied to Mahomes and joined in on the disbelief in Rodgers’ absurd ability to consistently complete Hail Mary passes throughout his career.
Right!! It’s ridiculous! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 15, 2024
Blake Krass of DraftKings highlighted how much things have changed for the Jets thanks to Rodgers’ arrival. Last season, Jets QB Tim Boyle couldn’t even reach the end zone on a Hail Mary attempt before halftime, and it was embarrassingly returned for a touchdown.
The Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary made me think of this game (that I was at in person) where Tim Boyle couldn’t get a Hail Mary to the end zone before halftime and it got returned for a pick six.
What a different planet we’re on now.
pic.twitter.com/ePuz2nfvwd— Blake Krass (@BlakeyLocks) October 15, 2024
Here’s an interesting proposition for the Jets considering New York’s offensive struggles to start the regular season: What if Aaron Rodgers simply attempted five or six Hail Mary passes per game? Given his history of success on those attempts, it could be worth a try.
Maybe Aaron Rodgers should run 5-6 Hail Marys per game.
— 2026 National Champs 🙌🏾 (@Miami_DaU) October 15, 2024
Who Has the Longest-Recorded Throw in NFL History?
While Rodgers’ 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass was certainly impressive, it was far from the longest-recorded throw in NFL history. Although it is certainly a rare occurrence, 10 total quarterbacks have recorded a passing play of 99-yards throughout NFL history.
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is the most recent player to complete a 99-yard pass, as he connected with Victor Cruz for a historical touchdown against the Jets in 2011.
99 days until Giants football with Victor Cruz’s 99 yard TD v. The Jets! pic.twitter.com/lrpxIE02o7
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) June 7, 2020
Although Manning’s connection with Cruz is in the record books as a 99-yard touchdown pass, it was truly a significantly shorter pass that the explosive wide receiver was able to turn into a massive play.
Baker Mayfield is actually responsible for the longest passing attempt in NFL history. While Mayfield’s historical attempt was essentially uncatchable, it somehow traveled a distance of 70.5 yards through the air.
Baker Mayfield's end of the half hail mary attempt last night was the longest NFL pass attempt PFF has ever charted 🚀 👀 pic.twitter.com/lsRWDiwCjT
— PFF (@PFF) December 15, 2020