Aaron Rodgers is not the media’s favorite. However, the perception might change after Jets teammate Jermaine Johnson II’s revelations about the veteran quarterback. The New York Jets’ third-year defensive end revealed how Rodgers stepped up in a big way after Johnson tore his right Achilles during a Week 2 matchup in September against the Tennessee Titans.
Jermaine Johnson II Provides Contrasting Outlook of Aaron Rodgers’ Personality
In a video uploaded by the Jets’ official YouTube account, Johnson shared how Rodgers lent him his private jet to travel to Los Angeles for surgery. Initially, Johnson insisted on paying for the flight, estimating it to cost around $30,000. However, Rodgers refused to accept any payment, telling Johnson, “You’re a great guy. Now is the time you have to focus on receiving help. Let me do this for you.”
Very cool story told by @ii_jermaine to @eallenjets on what Aaron Rodgers did for him post Johnson’s Achilles tear.
You won’t hear about these types of gestures from Rodgers often, bc JJ
says Rodgers “doesn’t care enough” to correct the narrative.
🎥: @nyjets #jetup pic.twitter.com/l4hrk9Q0S4— jamie stuart (@jamiestuartTV) January 8, 2025
Rodgers suffered a torn left Achilles just four snaps into the Jets’ season opener and his own debut game in 2023. Rodgers’ road to recovery last year was nothing short of sensational, with the 40+-year-old quarterback returning to practice only 77 days post-surgery thanks to a cutting-edge “speed bridge” procedure. Johnson underwent a traditional Achilles repair, which he explained in detail.
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The Jets DE stated, “My tear was higher than his [Rodgers]. So with the speed bridge, what they do is they just take it and wrap it under your heel so that you don’t have a repair anywhere in that tendon. The repair is technically on your heel, so you don’t have to worry about stretching it, but in the traditional, they take the bottom part and the top part, and then they put it together.
“Now the repair is there, so you can’t stretch that. You have to wait till it fuses all the way, and then you can start using it how it’s supposed to be used, so that’s why the traditional method takes longer,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s injury came during a non-contact play while rushing Tennessee quarterback Will Levis. Not for the injury part, but the DE leaned on Rodgers for mental support during the grueling rehab process. While he missed the remainder of the 2024 NFL season, the 25-year-old DE remains optimistic. He even updated fans on social media post-surgery, stating it was a success and vowing to return stronger than ever.
Surgery was a success!! Thank you God🙏🏾
— Jermaine Johnson II (@ii_jermaine) September 21, 2024
In his three seasons with the Jets, Johnson has 88 tackles, 10 sacks, and seven pass breakups to his name. Johnson also praised Rodgers’ off-field persona, calling him an “amazing person.”
“I mean, guys don’t know how amazing Aaron is. I mean, he tries to, you know, not combat any of the things he sees in the media about himself. He doesn’t have the best rap in terms of, you know – teammates, this and that, self-centered; bro, he’s none of that. He just doesn’t care enough to go and correct you guys. He cares about what people in his Circle think about him.”
The Jets enter another challenging offseason. Johnson’s return in 2025 will undoubtedly boost their defense, but a significant overhaul is needed for a team searching for redemption.