On Monday Night Football during the opening weekend of the NFL season, the Aaron Rodgers era in New York kicked off. The New York Jets made the splash of the offseason by trading a bevy of draft picks to the Green Bay Packers for the future Hall of Fame signal-caller.
The Jets’ front office felt as if they were a solid quarterback away from competing for the AFC crown and a trip to the Super Bowl. New York was buzzing on opening night, unlike it had been in quite some time. Celebrities frequented the opener against the AFC East defending champion Buffalo Bills.
Unfortunately for Jets fans, the Rodgers era appeared to end before it began. A few plays into the opening drive, a nightmare occurred before the eyes of the national television audience as the veteran QB injured his Achilles tendon. Unable to put any weight on his leg, Rodgers sat on the turf, defeated.
Will Aaron Rodgers Return to the Jets in 2023?
The Jets’ medical staff walked into the blue medical tent with the future Hall of Famer, only for Rodgers to hop onto a cart, heading for the locker room. Reports surfaced to indicate the injury he sustained was serious and, in all likelihood, season-ending.
Speculation suggested the soon-to-be 40-year-old QB may never play another down in the NFL again, and his Jets career was over. The veteran signal-caller has taken several offseasons to give deep thought to his future playing career, including the now infamous “darkness retreats.”
Rodgers has seen a remarkable recovery in a short period of time, and now it seems realistic to suggest his NFL career will not only continue but could ramp up before the end of the season.
Achilles injuries are normally at least season-enders, so this recent medical update is stunning. Could fans see another Miracle at the Meadowlands?
Rodgers recently attended The Breeders Cup, and like every venue he attends these days, similar questions were asked regarding his rehab and potential return to New York’s offense this season. Rodgers was open about his current progress and setting realistic goals for now and the future.
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“I’m feeling good. I do rehab every single day. I’m trying to put my leg up as much as I can. I’ve got my dad shoes on, my rockers, so I can walk without any pain. But it’s a process. Step by step. Day by day.”
The future Hall of Famer made no guarantees but made it known that his goal is to suit up for the Jets again in 2023.
“There’s some great days, some rough days. But the goal for me is to come back this year. It’s got to be, otherwise, I think it’d be a lot of rehab and pain. We’ll see what happens. I’ve got to hit some markers before that. I’ve got to be able to move around. I’ve got to be able to avoid putting myself in harm’s way.”
Can New York Contend Long Enough for Rodgers to Return?
Although Rodgers wants to return in 2023 — which doesn’t seem to be out of the question — his return only makes sense if the Jets remain in contention and can make it to the playoffs.
New York has a thunderous running game with Breece Hall returning to form and one of the better defenses in football, so the pieces are there to remain afloat while they await Rodgers’ potential return.
How third-year QB Zach Wilson leads the offense in Rodgers’ absence will be critical in deciding whether the future Hall of Famer returns in 2023.
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