Predicting How Jets Will Handle the Aaron Rodgers Situation This Week

Quarterback confirms our suspicions during Tuesday's McAfee Show appearance

Expect the New York Jets to activate Aaron Rodgers this week, but don't expect the 40-year-old quarterback to take a single snap until next season.

With Rodgers on Injured Reserve rehabbing from Achilles surgery, the Jets opened his 21-day practice window on November 29. That means a decision must be made prior to the home finale against the Washington Commanders.

Should the Jets choose not to activate Rodgers by Wednesday, December 20, then he will revert back to Injured Reserve for the remainder of the 2023 season.

'I don’t have anything for you guys on that one right now. Like I said, as far as I’m concerned, he’s still in rehab," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh on Monday.

Rodgers answered the question of whether he'll play again this season while admitting that he has yet to return to full health during his December 19 appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. 

"I'm still 14 weeks, tomorrow, from my surgery. Being medically cleared as 100 percent healed is not realistic at 14 weeks," said Rodgers.

With the Jets being eliminated from postseason contention thanks to last week's loss in Miami, the four-time NFL MVP said he won't be pushing to play at less than 100 percent health. 

"The whole time, it's been hoping that we're still in it. It was unrealistic to think that I would be a hundred percent, to be medically cleared, at any point during the regular season," said Rodgers. "I do feel like in the next three to four weeks it would be very possible to get to 100 percent."

In order for Rodgers to continuing practicing through the rehabilitation process, however, the Jets must activate him by this week's deadline. The likely move is to clear a spot on the 53-man roster by sending another player to IR and keep Rodgers in the mix at practice.

Maybe he'll dress as an emergency quarterback just so fans can see him run onto the field in a moment of perceived triumph, thrilling the home crowd one final time in what's been a disappointing season. As far as Rodgers hitting Garrett Wilson in stride for a Jets' first down, that will have to wait until 2024 and, hopefully, beyond.

"I wanted at least two years. I feel like this year is kind of a lost year," said Rodgers. "I don't think next year will be my last year."

Jets' Starting Quarterback Starts Week in Concussion Protocol

MORE HEADLINES:

Jets Sink to Season Low in Miami

Fact or Fiction: Aaron Rodgers Will Play Again This Season