New York Jets’ star quarterback Aaron Rodgers appears to be making rapid and significant progress in his recovery from a torn Achilles.
The four-time league MVP suffered the injury just minutes into his Jets’ debut against the Buffalo Bills. Rodgers was initially ruled out for the entire season, but the 39-year-old recently told Pat McAfee about his plans for a miraculous comeback.
“There’s nothing normal about how I’m attacking this rehab. There is common practices about six weeks in a boot, and I was in a shoe in like 13 days.”Aaron Rodgers talked about his rehab with @patmcafeeshow. pic.twitter.com/k9ZH0i038N
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 3, 2023
In recently-released footage, Rodgers was seen walking around New York’s locker room WITHOUT crutches ahead of their Week 4 home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Making things more encouraging is the fact that Rodgers is visibly upbeat and joyful in the moment:
Oh 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦: the #1JD crew showed some new footage of #Jets QB Aaron Rodgers walking around the locker room ahead of the #Chiefs game w/o the use of crutches 👀 QB1 is looking good in rehab 🎥 @nyjets #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/G7aF12UXmC
The Jets saved their season with a 31-21 victory over the Denver Broncos to improve to 2-3 on the year. New York is just one game out of the three wild card spots in the AFC, though they have it tough with the Philadelphia Eagles coming to town this week.
Rodgers’ hope at an improbable return in 2023 may come down to the Jets’ playoff chances. Even if he were to make a miraculous recovery in the coming months, the Jets probably wouldn’t want to risk anything if the playoffs are a pipe dream.
But if they can sneak into the postseason and potentially win a game or two with Zach Wilson at the helm? Who knows, maybe Rodgers will indeed manage to play again this season.
