The 2023 NFL season took an unexpected turn when Aaron Rodgers‘ debut season with the Jets was cut short by an Achilles tear. Questions have since been raised about his playing future, but he hinted at an answer in that regard on Wednesday. 
[RELATED: Jets Committed To Wilson As Starter, Eyeing Free Agent QB Addition]
Rodgers took to Instagram to make his first public remarks about his injury suffered early in Monday night’s win over the Bills. In his post, he expressed appreciation for the support he has received since the diagnosis of a torn Achilles was confirmed Tuesday and pointed to a return to the field next year – something head coach Robert Saleh named as an expected course of action earlier today.
“I’m completely heartbroken and moving through all of the emotions, but deeply touched and humbled by the support and love,” Rodgers wrote. “Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin the healing process today. The night is darkest before the dawn. And I shall rise yet again.”
The latter sentence suggests the four-time MVP is planning to rehab in time for the 2024 season and in doing so continue his Jets tenure. One more year (in essence) remains on his reworked contract, and he previously stated a desire to play at least a pair of seasons in the Big Apple. Signficant changes in circumstances – such as the team winning the Super Bowl or, as has turned out to be the case, a massive injury – had the potential to change his career outlook, however.
Rodgers is due just over $38MM in 2024, giving him plenty of motivation to return to the field. He will be 40 by the time next season begins, the earliest point at which he will have recovered in full, though. As he rehab progresses, questions will no doubt linger about his ability to regain his previous Hall of Fame form following the arduous process Achilles tears require. If his initial remarks are any indication, however, Rodgers can be expected to at least attempt a return to the field.
On a specific note regarding the season-altering injury, Zack Rosenblatt and Dianna Russini of The Athletic report that Rodgers was unhappy with play calls that involved cut blocks by the team’s offensive linemen. Two such plays were run during his four-snap participation on Monday, including the play in which a missed block by left tackle Duane Brown led to the fateful Leonard Floyd sack. Attention will be paid to the Jets’ offensive scheme next year if Rodgers is able to return, something he appears to planning on doing.
No, he doesn’t have a Messianic complex, why would we think that?
Don’t turds float?
Depends on what you had for dinner, and how much if it.
there’s cooler guys out there, for sure.
but if I was that famous, I’d prob have fun with it too.
Well least Jets will have a 1st round pick next year. Maybe they can get some tackles. Joe Alt Jack Nelson. Wisconsin and Notre Dame seem to know how to develop OT.
Dude is so dramatic
He. Is. Batman.
And get hurt again probably, you don’t magically heal faster and better when your in your late 30’s.
So the Jets are going all in with a 40 year old Rodgers in 2024 with a bad wheel…. Only the jets smh meanwhile the packers will be smelling like roses for the next 12 years
Ah no. Rosé fertilizer maybe. Love is not the third coming of a HOF QB. Serviceable maybe. HOF only time will tell but not likely at least based on what has been seen so far.
And he has to be a HOFer to make the Packers relevant??? Just guessing but I think some non HOFers have won playoff games, even super bowls.
Not sold on the Packers smelling like roses for the next 12 years if you watched their Sunday game…..Love’s stats looked a hell of a lot better than he actually played….overall the team excelled but was playing a horrible Bears team and like I said, Love did not look smooth or poised at all even with throwing for 4 TD’s…..
So a 3 day darkness retreat was not enough….
Must get darker?
He’ll want enough light so he can construct a new “wish list” to present to Joe Douglas for 2024.
Are people really giving him crap for this? I suppose Rodgers is one of those guys that you just frame your response based on your prior opinion.
I don’t see anything wrong with his statement, personally. If this means that he’ll inspire his teammates, be a resource when he is able, and actually put in the necessary work in the offseason, then a few inspiring-meaning words shouldn’t be an issue. Teammates and staff who watched him all offseason were expecting a season of good work; this statement is for them, not us. Of the various actually legitimate or even semi-legitimate reasons to criticize Rodgers, the wording of his statement after a bad injury is hardly one.
Rodgers is the very definition of a self absorbed egomaniac. He needs to embark on another “darkness retreat” if he thinks a hackneyed 350 year old proverb is going to inspire anyone.
Ak185: While I respect and agree with your overall sentiment, as I usually do… there are sooooo many other ways Rodgers could have phrased what he said if he was trying to be inspirational. The fact that he decided upon “I shall rise yet again”, regardless of the context, says a lot more about him than he probably intended.
38 million reasons to return next year!
No he wont. Achilles break is one of the worst injuries you can have later in your career. Also, it tends to start or make worse any prior injuries you have to your legs, hips and back.
So probably not. Love the fight, but realistically, even if he can beat the 18 month recovery and rehab. Nobody, outside of Kevin Durant, has come back to anything like their former selves. Laphonzo Ellis, Kobe, Dan Marino, etc. the list is extensive and not promising.
If he as 32, maybe, but 40 no. Sorry. Good luck, but no.
As a person who broke his tendon, i am routing for him, but it is not realistic he will play again. Unless he wants to be a back up.
CF Realistically he will be playing next year as QB1 if he wants too, because the Jets have no other choice but to desperately hope he can come back strong from this. Even with Wilson at QB, the roster is too talented to end up with a high pick to draft a new QB, and Rodgers can’t be worse than a mediocre veteran from FA.
Even if a good QB demands a trade, the Jets probably couldn’t afford his contract unless Rodgers officially retires.
Rodgers will see how his rehab is going. If the tendon is not healing properly, Rodgers is not foolish or self-destructive. He won’t go out on the field to humiliate himself and/or get injured again.
In the meantime, Rodgers will work really, really hard on full rehab. Even if he doesn’t play football again, Rodgers still has to rehab that leg properly. How else is will he keep pace with all those beautiful young women on his arm?
Wow, not only old, but now a year before he plays again, hope he doesn’t lose a step……what a blow for the Jets
Aaron the Grey has fallen but will rise as Aaron the White!
Aaron the Grey has fallen but will arise as Aaron the White!