Aaron Rodgers’ first full season with the Jets has been full of injury-related questions, from his expedited Achilles restoration within the offseason to the hamstring, knee and ankle accidents that resulted in appearances on the harm report beginning in Week 5.
However Rodgers, in keeping with NFL.com, has averted present process any scans for these accidents as a result of he doesn’t need “to reveal the severity of his injuries out of fear of having to come off the field. He has insisted that he keep playing.”
The 40-year-old has mentioned publicly he feels wholesome and has been a full participant in every of Gang Inexperienced’s practices since Oct. 28, and the subsequent day, Rodgers joked about punter Thomas Morstead’s cayenne pepper and water combination serving to him discover the “fountain of youth.”
However whereas there have been moments the place Rodgers flashed his mobility, he has been restricted outdoors of the pocket for essentially the most half — with Patriots nostril deal with Davon Godchaux even saying that he might “run him down and catch him” after New England defeated the Jets on Oct. 27.
Getting into the Jets’ bye week, Rodgers has thrown for two,442 yards, 17 touchdowns and 7 interceptions this season, with a disappointing offense to begin the marketing campaign — the Jets nonetheless haven’t hit 30 factors in 2024 — one of many early indicators of Gang Inexperienced beginning to spiral.
It resulted in Nathaniel Hackett getting stripped of play-calling duties after Robert Saleh was fired and Jeff Ulbrich turned the interim head coach.
However outdoors of a second half towards the Texans on Oct. 31, when Rodgers threw for 3 touchdowns, the mediocre outcomes have continued.
In order that has led the Jets and Rodgers to an attention-grabbing crossroads — and the looming potential for a divorce lower than two years after they merged and opened a Tremendous Bowl window for the franchise.
Earlier than the Jets misplaced to the Colts in Week 11, Rodgers mentioned that the best way 2024 unfolded hasn’t modified his plans to play in 2025.
However with Saleh fired and with common supervisor Joe Douglas canned final week, the Jets’ offseason might be outlined by hiring processes and new faces on the workers.
Proprietor Woody Johnson reportedly floated the concept of benching Rodgers following their Week 4 loss towards the Broncos, too.
All of that has led to Rodgers being the topic of hypothesis revolving round the potential of an injured reserve stint later this season if he or the Jets resolve the quarterback shouldn’t proceed to play — and what that will imply for his Gang Inexperienced future.
Possibly, at that time, imaging and scans will reveal the severity of what Rodgers has been enjoying by means of.
