Aaron Rodgers’ quest for a return to the New York Jets this season seems to be over for good. Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury week one Monday night against the Buffalo Bills. After some instances of him practicing, there was hope that he would return to the football field.
Unfortunately, the Jets couldn’t hold up their end to remain in the playoff hunt. A Rodgers sometimes indicated that he would possibly return if things fell in place. However, getting back to the field felt like a long-lost dream.
Aaron Rodgers Reveals He Won’t Return
Rodgers was recently on the Pat McAfee show. He stated that if he were 100% percent, he would be “definitely pushing to play.” But even Aaron Rodgers knows that’s not realistic after 14 weeks post-surgery. Rodgers said, “I think the whole time it’s been hoping that we’re still in it because it was unrealistic to think that I would be 100 percent to be medically cleared at any point during the regular season.”
The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt pointed out that Aaron Rodgers didn’t directly say he wouldn’t return. At the same time, however, he did mention that Rodger’s “tone” gave that impression. Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles on the fourth play from scrimmage in the week one victory over the Bills. Despite the injury, Rodgers tried to do the unthinkable and pushed himself to play again in the 2023 season.
Rodgers was making appearances on the sidelines for home games and threw the football before games on the field. Unfortunately, the Jets struggled to keep themselves in the playoff race due to poor Offensive play. Even then, Rodgers was doing all he could to return to the football field for the Jets.
Jets Quarterback Play
Zach Wilson, the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, went under center after Rodger’s injury in week one. Wilson did not have it easy through the nine games he started going 3-6 in those games. After falling in a 32-6 loss to the Bills in week 11, Tim Boyle took the snaps in week 12 against the Miami Dolphins.
Boyle was also started for the Jets in a 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Metlife Stadium. Wilson had one of the best outings in the season’s week 14 victory over the Houston Texans (his career, perhaps). Wilson threw for 301 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Will 2024 be Aaron Rodgers’ last season as an NFL quarterback?
While Rodgers’ first season with Gang Green has been very forgettable, Rodgers doesn’t intend for 2024 to be his last in the NFL. 2024 is the final year of his two-year $75M deal. When asked on the Pat McAfee show whether next season would be his last, Rodgers said, “I don’t think so; I felt like when I came here that I got a renewed passion and love for the game, and everything has been amazing here.”
Rodgers also said, “I feel like I can play more years, and I can be effective into my forties.” The Jets were hoping that Rodgers would elevate them to Super Bowl contention after acquiring him last offseason. The Jets are officially eliminated from playoff contention with a 5-9 record.
New York is coming off a shutout 30-0 loss to the Miami Dolphins. They will play the Washington Commanders on Christmas Eve at Metlife Stadium.
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK
