Aaron Rodgers revealed he will not be back on the football field with the New York Jets this season after the star quarterback suffered a full tear in his left Achilles in the first game of the season.
Rodgers, 40, made the announcement on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday and confirmed that he has been making “steady progress” as he recovers from the injury.
Still, Rodgers said it’s ultimately “unrealistic” to think he’ll be “100 percent cleared to get a medical at any point during the regular season.”
With just a few games left before the postseason — which the Jets won’t play this year — Rodgers estimates he’ll miss the regular season while he’s “at 100 percent” physically. “I feel like in the next 3 or 4 weeks it would be possible to get to 100 percent,” he said.
Rodgers, who played just a few minutes with the New York team before suffering the tear on Sept. 11, was sacked by Buffalo Bills linebacker Leonard Floyd near the start of the first quarter.
The Jets quarterback called into McAfee’s show Tuesday from the team’s practice facility and said he was able to participate in “7-on-7” work with his teammates.
Aaron Rodgers at Jets game for first time since season-ending injury, chat with Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes
Rodgers said he would “push to play” with the team, “if I was 100 percent today.”
With no exact timetable for his return now that the NFL is nearing its offseason, Rodgers said he and the Jets “can be as smart as we can” and monitor his physical health as they prepare for next season.
Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets is examined by medical staff on the field for an apparent injury during the game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Michael Owens/Getty
McAfee asked Rodgers if next season will be his last, as the quarterback has hinted that he has been thinking about retirement for some time.
“I don’t think so,” Rodgers revealed, adding that the move from Green Bay to New York has given him a “renewed passion” for the sport.
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After being traded by the Packers in April, the four-time NFL MVP signed a two-year, $75 million contract with the Jets that runs through the 2024 season in July.
“I am completely heartbroken and going through all the emotions, but deeply touched and humbled by the support and love,” Rodgers wrote in an Instagram post after his injury. “Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin the healing process today.”
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Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Rodgers underwent surgery just days later and thanked his fans and friends for their support in an Instagram post.
“The surgery went great yesterday,” he captioned a picture of himself smiling and lying on a hospital bed. “Thank you for all the love, prayers and support.”
In the comments section, Rodgers received encouragement from his followers, including Aaron Paul, who wrote: “Sending love my friend! Get some rest.❤️.” Jeremy Renner left a comment that read: “Hang in there my friend !!!”
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Source: HIS Education