Aaron Rodgers posted a statement on his Instagram Tuesday that puts earlier reports of his season-ending Achilles injury in doubt. Many reports came out that Rodgers would be out for the season after he sustained a torn Achilles during the New York Jets Week 1 win over the Buffalo Bills.
A Rodgers miraculous recovery this season could be painful for the Green Bay Packers this offseason.
Aaron Rodgers is healing fast
Rodgers seems to be rehabbing faster than most Achilles patients following an experimental procedure in September. Rodgers’ goal was to return to the Jets in time for the playoffs–should the team be eligible.
The playoffs seemed like a crapshoot when they started the season 1-3. However, the Jets have won two games straight, and Rodgers appears to be recovering quickly. Rodgers flew to New York for the Jets contest against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4.
By Week 6, Rodgers was walking around MetLife Stadium without crutches and tossing footballs during the Jets’ pregame.
On Tuesday, Jets head coach Robert Saleh said on Good Morning Football didn’t rule out Rodgers being able to play again this season.
Crazy to suggest we could possibly see Rodgers by the end of the season?
"The more you doubt him and the more you doubt whether or not he's capable of doing it, I think it just fuels him…"
– @nyjets Head Coach Robert Saleh pic.twitter.com/1Vc2WoeY7T— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) October 17, 2023
Rodgers posted a picture of him throwing during the Jets pregame warmup Sunday. He wrote “Progress” for his caption.
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How Rodgers’ recovery affects the Green Bay Packers
Rodgers’ injury cost the Packers a chance for the Jets’ 2024 first-round pick from their trade with New York this offseason, as Green Bay needed Rodgers to play in 65 percent of the Jets’ offensive snaps this season.
Many Packers fans thought Rodgers’ early exit this season would mean the Jets would gift the Packers a high pick in the second round. And it looked that way in September when backup quarterback Zach Wilson struggled. But Wilson has played well since Week 4, and the Jets are now at .500 after upsetting the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6.
It’s very possible the Jets could be in playoff contention when Rodgers is available to play again, especially with how incredible the Jets defense has been this year against the best quarterbacks in the league.
The Jets could make a long run in January with Rodgers and an elite defense. The Packers would then be drafting late in the second round, effectively giving up close to a third-round pick for Rodgers. That’s not where a rebuilding Packers team wants to be after giving up their best player in the 2023 offseason.
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