Zach Wilson is coming off arguably the best start of his NFL career. But that hasn’t prevented Aaron Rodgers from attacking his Achilles injury rehab like never before.
Rodgers, who injured his Achilles after just four regular season snaps with the New York Jets, was expected to miss the entire season. That’s typically the recovery process for any athlete who has a major Achilles injury, but Rodgers doesn’t want to hear any of that crap.
The QB who prefers maintaining positive vibes while blocking out negativity has a different plan in motion.
Rodgers believes he can still return to the Jets this season. While making his usual appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers noted how there’s “nothing normal about how I’m attacking this rehab.”
“The common practice is about six weeks in a boot, and I was in a shoe in 13 days. This is just my mindset. I believe in the power of intention. I believe in prayer. I believe in your mental status and the power of will. I believe in making room for the miraculous to happen.”
Aaron Rodgers on rehab mentality
But Rodgers isn’t just working his way back from the Achilles injury suffered on Sept. 11. He’s also recovering from an ankle injury, which is likely why he was seen with an ankle brace at MetLife Stadium during the Jets’ Week 4 loss.
While Rodgers remains hopeful, he’s also trying to be realistic. He knows the odds are stacked against him.
“I have some things working against me. I’m 39 years old, I’m the oldest player in the league. A lot of people have a really hard time coming back from this. However, I haven’t really paid any attention to any [of] that stuff. I just kind of have been making my own protocols and my own timetables.”
The Jets could be a much better team with Rodgers under center, and the NFL is better off with stronger QB play. Even if Rodgers making a late-season return seems unlikely based on the recovery timeline of athletes in the past, the four-time MVP doesn’t want to be counted out just yet.
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