Aaron Rodgers Provides Added Caveat to Potential Jets Return This Season

The four-time MVP weighed in on the key factor that will determine whether he returns in the 2023 NFL season.

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has spoken candidly about making a return to the field from his torn Achilles injury that he suffered in September.

On Nov. 19, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Rodgers could potentially return for the Jets’ Week 16 game against the Commanders on Christmas Eve, as long as he could protect himself and if the franchise were still in the AFC playoff hunt.

During his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, the four-time MVP confirmed Rapoport’s report of keeping his “health” as the main priority for his potential return before examining if the Jets are “alive” in the postseason scenarios.

“It’s always been am I healthy? Then, are we alive? Are we playing good enough to make a run? Can I step in and protect myself and play at the level I am capable of playing … If the answer is yes, then we move in that direction. If the answer is no, I got to listen to my body,” Rodgers said on the show. “Health wise, I’m improving steadily but we’re still not where I can make a decision on playing.”

"There's a natural progression here to the rehab and that's gonna involve getting to do some things that are football related..

I'm improving steadily but we're still not where I can make a decision on playing" @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/XVlY50CRwa

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 28, 2023

If Rodgers is able to return for the Jets’ Week 16 matchup, the 39-year-old would have only been away from the field for roughly 3.5 months in part due to an aggressive rehab process. However, the Jets (4–7) currently sit outside of the AFC playoff picture and have lost four consecutive games including Sunday’s 34–13 loss to the AFC East leading Dolphins (8–3).

The Jets will travel south to Atlanta for their Week 13 matchup against the Falcons (5–6) on Sunday.