Earlier this year, Aaron Rodgers’ first season with the New York Jets was basically over before it even began, as he went down with a torn Achilles on the fourth play of the first game of the season against the Buffalo Bills.
Of course, tearing your Achilles tendon is one of the most devastating injuries in all of sports as it takes around a year to recover from, and has been known to end careers at times. However, Rodgers has defied the odds in one of the most incredible injury recovery stories I’ve ever heard, as he was cleared to start practicing with the team after spending only 11 weeks on the injury reserve.
Rodgers said from the get go that his plan was to return this season, and although we all thought he was crazy for saying it, he really could. But, the Jets’ season has gone completely down the drain, as lackluster quarterback play has led them to a 5-9 record, and no shot at making the postseason.
With that being said, Rodgers made his usual appearance on The Pat McAfee Show today, where he basically said that he’s done for this season, considering that the Jets don’t have anything to play for anymore. Had they been competing for a playoff spot, it might be a different story.
“I think the whole time it’s been hoping that we’re still in it because it was unrealistic to think that I’d be 100% medically cleared at any point during the regular season. In the next 3-4 weeks it would be possible to get to 100%, but not there.
So the conversation was, away from 100% clearance vs willingness to play, which never has been a problem for me… there still would’ve been a conversation… but being a competitor, I would’ve pushed it as hard as I could this week but it still would’ve been a conversation…. If I was 100 percent today, I’d be pushing to play.”
However, he did give some telling information about his future in New York. When he was asked if next year will be his last, he responded:
“I don’t think so. I’ve felt like when I came here, that I got kind of a renewed passion and love for the game, and everything has been amazing here…
I wanted at least two years, and I feel like this year is kind of a lost year now that I’ve only played a couple snaps, and wasn’t able to go out there and prove what I’m capable of, and show what we’re capable of as a team.
I don’t think next year will be my last year. With some of the things that I’ve learned over the last year, taking care of my body and surrounding myself with some great people who’ve been helping me with my nutrition and my functional training at a more acute level, I feel like I can play more years, and I can be effective into my 40s. Which is crazy because I thought I’d be sitting on a couch somewhere at 40, but I want to be a starter at 40, I want to be a starter at 41.”
So, it appears we may get a few more seasons out of Rodgers after all, as long as the Achilles holds up.
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