Ever since Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury during the opening drive of his season debut with the New York Jets, there has been speculation that the future Hall of Fame quarterback might still try to return to the team this season. But it’s looking more and more like that’s not going to happen.
During an appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on Tuesday, Aaron Rodgers indicated that while his health will be the primary factor in determining whether or not he will be able to return to the team this season, he will also consider whether or not the New York Jets are still in playoff contention.
“Well, I think it’s always been first, ‘Am I healthy?’ And then, ‘Are we alive? Are we in it? Are we playing good enough to make a run?'” Rodgers said on the show when determining whether or not he will return to the New York Jets this season.
Aaron Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show that any potential return this season will depend on both his health and the Jets’ playoff possibilities. pic.twitter.com/jkMRYgEIfP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 28, 2023
“Once I’m healthy and then see where we’re at – are we alive? Are we in it? Can I help the team and not hurt the team by being back out there? Can I protect myself? Can I move around and do all the things I want to do? If the answer’s ‘Yes,’ then we move in that direction. If the answer’s ‘No,’ then I’ve got to listen to my body,” Rodgers continued. “It’s health first, then ‘Can I play, are we alive for the playoffs?’ second.”
Given that the Jets currently have a 4-7 record and a less than 1 percent chance of making the postseason by most predictive models, it doesn’t seem likely that Rodgers will be playing this year, and the NFL world had a lot to say about it on social media.
Rodgers found his escape hatch and it's that the Jets just aren't good enough this year without him and not at all that he doesn't have a Wolverine special ability to recover faster than all other pro athletes.
Elon had more of a shot in fighting Zuck than this lunacy. https://t.co/6XKItE0tdY pic.twitter.com/yf6KxMq9Rx
— Ben Koo (@bkoo) November 28, 2023
This was and always will be a motivational ploy to keep the team engaged. He's absolutely nuts, but this was never actually going to happen. The season was over after he snapped his Achilles. The Jets showed some signs of life, but this is who they are with OL + play-caller. https://t.co/7sJaQfdu8B
— Sam Neumann (@Sam_Neumann_) November 28, 2023
So that’s over https://t.co/QtaMAp50vD
— Offseason Chopz (@Pchopz_) November 28, 2023
who’s gonna tell him https://t.co/eXoyiZpDdb
— zach jacobson (@itszacharyj) November 28, 2023
A man who understands and appreciates a tank. Thank you, Aaron. https://t.co/C7g4Jb81QZ
— Mike Nash (@MikeNash15) November 28, 2023
Talk a big game all year about returning to the field absurdly early, knowing all the while Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle are your QBs and you won't have to back up your words. https://t.co/LUqwPZQywG
— Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) November 28, 2023
Dude wasn’t coming back anyway, just had to keep his name out there!! https://t.co/yKIk04CL7W
— Vince Wright (@thebigsmooth1) November 28, 2023
For Jets fans continuing to hold out hope that Rodgers will play this season, it looks like it’s not going to happen.
