The New York Jets went all-in for Aaron Rodgers, but the latest rumors suggest that his playing days could be over after suffering an Achilles injury in Week 1. In other news, Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is dealing with an injury of his own, while Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones ended his holdout and is back on the field.
NFL Rumors: Aaron Rodgers, Austin Ekeler, Chris Jones
Aaron Rodgers Suffers Achilles Injury, Career Could Be Over
After years upon years of failing to develop homegrown talent at the quarterback position, the New York Jets went all-in for 2023 by trading for Aaron Rodgers. The team had a young core of talented playmakers on both sides of the ball and decided that they needed Rodgers to be the missing piece and bring home a championship.
Well, that dream ended after just four snaps. Playing in front of a national audience on Monday Night Football, Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury that will likely end his season. As of this posting, the team is still waiting on an MRI to confirm the results, but all the rumors suggest that the MRI will only confirm the inevitable: Aaron Rodgers is done for the year.
Update: MRI’s confirm the results – Aaron Rodgers is done for the season
Achilles injuries are one of the most difficult to overcome in the sporting world, and this might signal the end of the road for the 39-year-old Rodgers. While Rodgers alluded to playing beyond the 2023 season in the past, this injury might force him out of the league. If this is the case, then it’s just another reminder of how cruel life can be in the NFL, even for one of the greatest players in the game’s history.
Austin Ekeler Battling Ankle Injury
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler went off on Week 1, recording a combined 164 yards and a touchdown on 20 overall touches. However, the former undrafted free agent also suffered an ankle injury during the contest that sidelined him for a decent portion of the second half.
Head coach Brandon Staley called him “day to day”, which means that there is a decent shot Ekeler will suit up for the Chargers Week 2 contest against the Tennessee Titans. However, if he can’t play, then Joshua Kelley is the guy to own for fantasy football. With Ekeler on the sideline, the third-year back stepped up and recorded 91 yards and a score on 16 carries. He had total command of the backfield, as third-string running back Elijah Dotson only played one snap and former fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller was a healthy scratch.
Chris Jones Ends Holdout, Earns A Raise
After missing training camp and the first week of the NFL season, Chris Jones is officially back with the Kansas City Chiefs. As of this posting, the exact details of Jones’ new contract are not available to the public, but we know that it’s a one-year deal that will “allow him to earn more than the $19.5 million he was scheduled to make this season under his old contract.”
While this doesn’t provide the long-term security Jones originally wanted, it’s safe to say that the holdout was a net positive for the reigning All-Pro. The defensive lineman gets a pay raise more in line with his actual value, and he still has the opportunity to hit the open market after the season. The Chiefs, meanwhile, retain their best defensive playmaker and continue their fight to become the first team to secure consecutive Super Bowl titles since the 2003-2004 New England Patriots.
Main Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA Today Sports
