New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers teased a possible return to his position after the Jets’ 27-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football (Nov. 6).
After the game, Rodgers met with Chargers star safety Derwin James III on the field. The defensive back asked when Rodgers would return, and Rodgers’ answer was very lofty.
“A few weeks,” Rodgers said. A few weeks? That’s very early.
Rogers also took to social media last week to post a photo of a watch with the caption, “A little more time…”
Rodgers tore his Achilles on the Jets first drive of the season, and he’s been rehabbing every since. It usually takes a full year to come back from this kind of injury, so a November return seems unlikely. And, it is unlikely. However, Rodgers did have a unique, groundbreaking surgery that is supposed to accelerate the recovery time.
That said, Rodgers appeared on Tuesday’s (Nov. 7) episode of “The Pat McAfee Show” and clarified his “a few weeks” statement. On the show, he admitted that he was simply joking with James and that a few weeks wouldn’t be a doable timeline.
“I’ve known Derwin James for a while and I have a lot of respect for him and his game,” Rodgers said. “It’d be nice to be back in a couple weeks but unfortunately that’s not a realistic timeline”
It’s still, in theory, possible that Rodgers will come back this season. But, it won’t be in “a few weeks” and it won’t be in November. I do think that if the Jets really need Rodgers this season, he’ll do whatever it takes to get back there. But, if they end up not having a chance in the playoffs, they’re better to coast, get some good draft picks and wait until next season.
As a lifelong Detroit Lions fan, I’ve pretty much had to hate on Aaron Rodgers for the course of his career. But, it’s hard to hate on a guy as talented and successful as Rodgers. Also, everyone loves a good comeback story, and he was heading towards a career comeback as the quarterback for the New York Jets. I hope he gets this chance, if not late this season, then next season.
The New York Jets’ next game is up against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday (Nov. 12) at 8:20 p.m. EST. The Jets are 4-4 this season, and the Raiders are 4-5, so it should make for a pretty even game. I’m going with the Jets, as the Raiders and Jimmy Garoppolo are looking rough this season. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see the Raiders rebound, but it looks like it’ll take a little more time and effort.
Find the full NFL Week 10 schedule of games here. One of the biggest games of the weekend will be a face-off between the 5-4 New Orleans Saints and the 5-4 Minnesota Vikings, the latter who will have Joshua Dobbs as their starting quarterback. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, like Rodgers, is out with an Achilles injury. Cousins isn’t expected to return this season.
"I've known Derwin James for a while and I have a lot of respect for him and his game..
It'd be nice to be back in a couple weeks but unfortunately that's not a realistic timeline"@AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/W8ubdK9uft
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 7, 2023