Jets To Activate Aaron Rodgers From IR

After a few reports indicated Aaron Rodgers‘ comeback bid would fall short, the Jets quarterback also poured cold water on his long-rumored effort to return from a Week 1 Achilles tear. But the Jets will still keep their preferred starter at practice.

The Jets will activate Rodgers from IR today, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. This is somewhat of a procedural move, with no game action expected. But it will also allow Rodgers to keep practicing with the team to close out the season. Robert Saleh confirmed Wednesday that Rodgers will be moved back to the 53-man roster, noting the team considers more practice work part of the QB’s rehab.

With the Jets designating Rodgers for return on Nov. 29, Wednesday marked the activation deadline. Had the team not activated Rodgers, he would have reverted to season-ending IR and been shut down. Saleh said (via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo) Rodgers will not play again this season, confirming what the 40-year-old passer said during his latest Pat McAfee Show appearance. But the third-year HC added that Rodgers would have undoubtedly pushed to come back had the Jets not been eliminated from playoff contention.

Rodgers’ activation leaves the Jets with two IR-return moves remaining, but with the team’s eye on 2024 already, it will use one of the spots to keep its expected ’24 starter at work with teammates. Rodgers expects to not only play in 2024 — his long-held goal upon being traded to the Jets — but to stay for the ’25 season as well. Even though this has been a historically woeful season for the Jets’ offense, Rodgers practice work looks likely to be relevant for next year.

The Jets look unlikely to make major changes to their staff in 2024. This is due in large part to Rodgers’ preference for the Saleh-Joe Douglas–Nathaniel Hackett group. The four-time MVP endorsed each Tuesday. While staying the course will be unpopular with many Jets fans, Rodgers undeniably has tremendous sway in how the organization functions at present. Rodgers was “90% retired” weeks before being traded, and the Packers QB had flirted with retirement during his final Packers years. The Jets may not want to risk rocking the boat here. Keeping Hackett around will ensure Rodgers returns to the same offense in 2024.

Hackett being set to keep his job due to a close relationship with Rodgers (from their three years together in Green Bay) might be a difficult sell for many, considering this season comes on the heels of a historically bad Broncos HC tenure. Hackett has offered a brutal two-year sample as a play-caller, after a successful run as a non-play-calling OC with the Packers. Though, the Jets’ dependence on Zach Wilson doomed Hackett this season. That said, the Jets are worse offensively than they were before Mike LaFleur‘s exit. The Jets rank last in offensive DVOA, holding back another strong defense. After refusing to upgrade on Wilson during the offseason or once Rodgers went down, this fate was not difficult to envision.

Wilson remains in concussion protocol, but the disappointing third-year QB will remain the starter if he is cleared in time for Week 16. Trevor Siemian replaced Wilson against the Dolphins. Wilson is unlikely to be with the Jets beyond this season.