Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers all but shut down any chance of him returning to the field this season with his team eliminated from playoff contention. Rodgers made his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show and said he is still weeks away from being 100 percent and that he would have pushed to play if he was 100 percent.
In other words, had the Jets won Sunday, Rodgers likely would have pushed to play this week against the Washington Commanders but now with nothing to play for, Rodgers will take the time needed to get fully healthy.
“The whole time it’s been hoping that we’re still in it because it’s unrealistic to think I’d be 100 percent at any point in the regular season,” Rodgers said Tuesday.
Rodgers had said on numerous occasions the Jets’ playoff chances would be a factor in him pushing to come back early from his September 11 Achilles injury — Rodgers had surgery two days later. With their playoff chances officially gone, Rodgers feels no pressure to come back and try to magically save the Jets’ season. He’ll now get all the time he needs to recover. The Jets have to activate Rodgers by Wednesday from injured reserve or he is officially out for the rest of the season. New York opened his 21-day practice window November 29. It wouldn’t be a surprise now if the the Jets choose to keep Rodgers on IR the rest of the way.
Rodgers will be back for the Jets in 2024 and added: “I don’t think next year will be my last year.” Rodgers is under contract with the Jets through the 2025 season.
