FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is gearing up to step up his practice routine next week, aiming for an earlier return than initially anticipated.
Rodgers had been eyeing a potential comeback on December 24 after recovering from a torn Achilles, just 3Ā½ months post-surgery. However, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of returning even sooner.
“Anything is possible,” he mentioned during an off-camera interview with beat writers on Thursday.
But it’s important to note that his return isn’t guaranteed. Rodgers emphasized that for him to return, the Jets (4-7) would need to still be in the playoff race, and he personally needs to demonstrate significant improvement in practice next week.
“I’m not anywhere near ready to play,” Rodgers admitted, even though he was cleared for limited practice on Wednesday.
He’s hoping for cooperation from his teammates. With four consecutive losses, the Jets have less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs, according to ESPN Analytics. If they lose to the Atlanta Falcons (5-6) on Sunday, the playoffs could be out of reach.
“It wouldn’t make much sense,” Rodgers remarked, regarding playing in a game with no playoff implications. “A comeback before the four-month mark this year would mean I’m not 100 percent healthy, so it’d be a risk for myself. I’d be surprised if the team would approve that comeback if we’re out of playoff contention.”
Rodgers, who turns 40 on Saturday, reiterated his desire to play in 2024. He mentioned that a reinjury this season wouldn’t change that plan.
After a limited practice on Wednesday, Rodgers took a day off on Thursday as part of his rehabilitation plan. However, next week, he intends to push himself by practicing on consecutive days.
“Obviously, playing on Sunday is out of the question, but I’m going to push it next week and see how I’m feeling after Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and how I respond,” he said.
While he had initially targeted Christmas Eve against the Washington Commanders as a potential return date, Rodgers decided to return to practice sooner than expected due to the progress in his rehab. However, he acknowledged that he still has much to accomplish in practice before he’s game-ready.
“Right now, I can drop back, do some things in a small circle, but I don’t think I can protect myself as well as I’d like to at this point,” he explained. “So I’ve got to do a little more. In practice, I have to take live team reps [in 11 on 11].”
Regardless of whether he plays, Rodgers’ comeback story is nothing short of remarkable. He sustained the injury on September 11 during the fourth play of the season and underwent surgery on September 13. No NFL player has ever returned from an Achilles tear before five months. Rodgers admitted that part of his motivation comes from the desire to achieve something unprecedented.
Many medical experts had told him it couldn’t be done. When asked why he’s attempting such a quick return, Rodgers responded with a rhetorical question, “Why not?”
Without Rodgers, the Jets are enduring a challenging season on offense, leading to speculation about the futures of general manager Joe Douglas, coach Robert Saleh, and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. When asked if his future with the team is tied to the return of this group in 2024, Rodgers called it a “trap question.”
He clarified that he doesn’t make those decisions, but it’s evident that he holds significant influence within the organization. Rodgers did express confidence in the Jets’ organizational structure, praising Douglas, Saleh, and Hackett.
“I feel like the recipe is in place to be really successful,” he concluded. “Whether it’s finishing up this year or starting next year, I believe that with those guys in leadership positions, this team can achieve its goals.”