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Aaron Rodgers is not backing down from his desire to play again during the 2023 season.
The New York Jets quarterback, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 1’s win over the Buffalo Bills, reiterated his desire to make an unheard-of comeback during an appearance on ESPN’s ManningCast on Monday.
“Listen, I’d love to come back this season,” Rodgers said. “I think for me you always have to set a goal, otherwise you go kind of crazy. And so the goal is to definitely come back. But there’s a lot of factors that go into that. But I’ve got to get to the point where I can protect myself and do what I do.”
Jets head coach Robert Saleh has credited Rodgers’ presence as being a major motivating factor for the locker room.
“His superpower is his presence,” Saleh told reporters last Monday. “Him being in this building, being around his teammates, being in the locker room, his positive attitude, his thoughts of manifestation and all that stuff, I think it’s powerful.”
New York will have to keep itself in playoff contention for Rodgers to have a legitimate shot at returning. The Jets currently sit at 3-3 and are 0.5 games behind the Buffalo Bills for the final AFC wild-card spot.
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Given the relative mediocrity of the middle of the AFC, it would not be a surprise to see the Jets contend deep into the season. Their defense is Super Bowl-worthy, and Zach Wilson has shown some improvement as a passer with Rodgers acting as his guide.
With that said, neither the Jets nor Rodgers will risk bringing him back unless he gains 100 percent clearance from doctors.
