Oct 15, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at New York Jets
(Florham Park, NJ) – After yet another putrid performance from the New York Jets offense, fans are hoping for a miracle. Like – say – a certain 39-year-old quarterback returning to action from a torn Achilles tendon faster than anyone ever has before.
Aaron Rodgers gave fans a reason to dream during Gang Green’s loss to the LA Chargers. He was caught on a “hot mic” telling Chargers safety Derwin James he was “a few weeks” away from a return. It’s been just over two months since Rodgers first went down with injury, on the Jets opening game of the season. It’s typically a 10-12 month injury, but Rodgers reportedly underwent a newer surgical procedure that uses what’s known a “speed mesh” to reattach the tendon more quickly.
That said, Rodgers appeared to throw some cold water on his “few weeks” comment Tuesday, while appearing for his normal spot on The Pat McAfee Show.
Rodgers cautioned that he’s “known Derwin for a while. We’ve got the same agency. He came over, dapped me up during the game. … I didn’t realize that (statement) was gonna get caught there. Obviously that was said with a little tongue-in-cheek there. It’d be nice to be back in a couple of weeks. That’s probably not anywhere near a realistic timeline. It could be a few, it could be a lot. It’s more of a phrase that didn’t have a specific timetable. I said it smiling, joking.”
Head coach Robert Saleh is undoubtedly hoping for Rodgers’ return, especially given Zach Wilson’s struggles in his absence. As to that possibility, the third-year coach said: “Well, I’ll always keep my conversations with Aaron between me and him, but the one thing I will say is he’s working relentlessly to try and get back here… I’m not going to say anything that he has told me but I do know he’s working really hard to get back here.”
And that relentless, work-based focus is all Jets fans can ask for.
