New York Jets quarterback and future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers went down four plays into his first season with the team due to a torn Achilles.
At that point, most figured that Rodgers’ 2023 campaign was all but over. Typically, injuries of this ilk take a calendar year to return from.
But from the onset, Rodgers had made it clear that he plans on returning this season. It now looks like he could take to the practice field roughly four months after suffering what is usually a devastating injury.
“I’ve said that I’d love to be trending towards practicing by my birthday,” Rodgers said Tuesday during his weekly spot on The Pat McAfee Show.
Rodgers is set to turn 40 on December 2. If he’s able to return to practice at that point, it will open up a three-week window for the Jets to decide whether to activate Rodgers or sit him for the remainder of the season. It’s long been believed that Rodgers’ goal for an actual return to in-game action is Christmas Eve against the Washington Commanders.
“As he told the Pat MacAfee show recently, he envisions a mid-December return. Here’s my understanding after talking to people involved in this situation. The most likely spot that Aaron Rodgers could return would be the Dec. 24 game against the Commanders. That would be Week 16 and gives him three more games to play this season if he was in fact somehow able to get back.”
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Rodgers’ potential return date
It would be absolutely insane if Rodgers were able to take to the field about a month-and-a-half after suffering the aforementioned Achilles’ injury. But there are also some complexities here.
Related: Tom Brady suggests Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers, and poor coaching to blame for their recent injuries
Aaron Rodgers return could be dictated by New York Jets’ success
The 4-6 Jets just benched Zach Wilson in favor of Tim Boyle following the ugly 32-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills last week. In fact, Wilson has been relegated to third-string duties heading into Black Friday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
Whether the Jets’ recent struggles will play a role in his return to the field remains to be seen. However, Rodgers made it clear that he’s not going any slower in his rehab from the Achilles’ injury.
Related: 71 Must-Have 2023 Sports Gear Black Friday Deals
“No, not at all,” he said. “I find those two are mutually exclusive. The speed at which I’m doing the rehab has been the same from the beginning — push it as hard as we can every single day.”
Even then, it would make no sense for Rodgers to return Week 16 if New York is out of the AFC Playoff picture. In addition to the Dolphins this coming week, this squad has outings against the Falcons and Texans was well as another matchup against Miami before taking on Washington on Dec. 24.
As of right now, New York is two games out of the final wild card spot in the AFC heading into Week 12. A lot would have to go right for this team to be in contention.