The New York Jets have been keeping a close eye on quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has admitted he's still facing difficulties with his Achilles following his 2023 season-ending injury.
Aaron Rodgers has made a concerning injury admission, with the New York Jets star quarterback revealing he's dealing with some difficulties with his recently repaired Achilles.
The 40-year-old returned for the Jets, fit for the 2024 season after his 2023 campaign ended after just four snaps in the home win over the Buffalo Bills. Rodgers was tipped to return towards the back end of last season potentially but with the Jets out of playoff contention relatively early, as Zach Wilson continued to struggle, the four-time NFL MVP was given more time to rest.
The Jets are second in the AFC East following a 2-1 start, and they have a favorable home game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. However, the former Green Bay Packers star has raised concerns after admitting to suffering with Achilles difficulties.
"I can’t say I’m bereft of some difficulties with the Achilles, but it’s a process," Rodgers said. "I feel better [from] Week 1 to Week 2, Week 2 to Week 3, and then we got a nice little gift there with the long weekend, so I feel better.
"I said after Week 1 I felt like I was going to progress and be able to move around a little bit more, I did that maybe a little bit against Tennessee and then obviously moved around a lot more effectively in Week 3.”
Following the clash with Denver on Sunday, the Jets will face a string of tough fixtures, meeting the Minnesota Vikings in London on Oct. 6, followed by the Buffalo Bills, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jets are purring, though, following their 24-3 win over the New England Patriots.
"I was feeling real good out there," Rodgers said after the win over division rivals New England. "I felt good pregame and I've been progressing. Once I feel more comfortable and this was kind of the first step and playing like I know I'm capable of playing. It felt like I was myself quite a few years ago."
Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett reunited with Rodgers last season only for the QB to be ruled out for the entire of the 2023 season. Hackett is excited to work with a full fit Rodgers, who has started 2024 strong.
"He did good. He did good," Hackett said of Rodgers. "Still, you know, I think there's so much improvement across the board for our offense that we need to have, and we just got to get a little better each week. And I think that we took a little step last week.
"I mean, it had been a long time since he played football, since he had gone out there in front of a crowd, and so I just wanted to continually get comfortable."
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Rodgers' Achilles Recovery: A Work in Progress
Despite his impressive performance in the Jets' 24-3 victory over the Patriots, Rodgers admitted that his Achilles injury is still a work in progress. He said that he's still "bereft of some difficulties with the Achilles." This is a stark contrast to his earlier statements, which suggested he was "feeling better" each week and "moving around a lot more effectively."
While Rodgers may be playing better each week, it's evident that his Achilles is still a major concern. The injury is a delicate one that requires significant time to heal. It's worth noting that Rodgers is 40 years old, which means his body may take longer to recover. It's clear that there is still a long road ahead for Rodgers in terms of his recovery, and he'll likely need to continue to manage the injury carefully.
Rodgers' Performance: A Cause For Optimism
Despite the lingering Achilles concerns, Rodgers' performance against the Patriots was encouraging. He looked more comfortable in the pocket and was able to extend plays with his legs, something that was lacking in the first two games of the season. It's clear that Rodgers is slowly regaining his confidence and regaining the mobility that made him one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
The Jets' offense looked more dynamic with Rodgers at the helm. His presence injected a sense of urgency and confidence into the unit. However, it remains to be seen how long Rodgers can maintain this level of play without further setbacks.
The Future For Rodgers and the Jets
The Jets have a challenging schedule ahead of them, with games against the Vikings, Bills, and Steelers on the horizon. It's unlikely that Rodgers will be 100% healthy anytime soon, which means the Jets will need to rely on his experience and leadership to guide them through these tough games.
The Jets' success will hinge on Rodgers' ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level. The team's offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, has stated that Rodgers is still "getting comfortable." That suggests that the Jets are confident in Rodgers' ability to continue to improve, but it's clear that the team is still cautiously optimistic about his recovery.
The Jets' season will be a long one. They have a good team and a lot of potential, but they'll need to stay healthy and get consistent production from Rodgers to reach their full potential.
