One day after general manager Joe Douglas said the Jets are counting on Aaron Rodgers’ return, more buzz built around the injured quarterback progressing from September surgery to repair his torn Achilles.
Douglas later clarified he was speaking specifically about Rodgers returning to the team at some point and not necessarily this season. He and head coach Robert Saleh are planning to ride with Zach Wilson at quarterback into December. Whether Rodgers proves he’s healthy enough to give the team more to think about after his 40th birthday remains to be seen.
“We’re in the moment,” Saleh said.
“It’s admirable from Aaron’s standpoint and I think it demonstrates how much he loves and cares about his teammates in this locker room,” Saleh said. “And obviously for himself. It’s very easy to cash in, especially when your money is guaranteed. So for him to want to come back, clawing his way back when everyone in the world would understand that he doesn’t have to, I think that’s why we have such a genuine appreciation for him.”
Saleh said the message to Wilson is to continue “attacking your opportunity.”
Wednesday marked seven weeks since Rodgers underwent surgery to repair the Achilles. He confirmed the goal is “to come back, to have that conversation,” but realizes age and history aren’t allies. He’ll be 40 on Dec. 2, and the standings — whether the Jets are still in the AFC playoff picture — are part of the bigger picture the franchise will look at if he is medically cleared at some point next month.
“The thing we have to remember I need to be able to move,” Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show this week. “Otherwise, why the hell would I come back? I need to be able to play from under center and get to an outside zone handoff and get to a keeper and be able to move in the pocket otherwise I’m not doing our team, myself, my career, any favors. So, I need to be able to move. A lot’s got to happen. I’m not even jogging yet. I’m just taking some nice dropbacks, so a lot has to happen.
“I think now that the walking has really normalized and I’m able to walk pretty normal, pretty standard, that I think things can progress into jogging and moving. … We’re ahead of schedule, but a long way to go.”
Offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, who has a history of knee injuries and knows the rehab process that comes with getting back on the field, said Rodgers might not be human.
“He might be an alien. At his age, and the injury that he had, to be recovering this fast, he’s a different kind of guy,” Becton said.
–Field Level Media