SI Reporter Highlights One Thing That Must Happen for Rodgers to Return This Season

Albert Breer addresses recovery timeline for Jets' injured quarterback

Sports Illustrated senior national reporter Albert Breer reminds us of the one thing that could derail a potential early comeback by Aaron Rodgers.

Answering a mailbag question about the 39-year-old quarterback's timeline for return from Achilles surgery, Breer concluded that the idea is only feasible if the Jets are actually playing for something late in the season. There's no reason for Rodgers to rush back to a team that has no postseason hope.

The Jets managed to post three wins during a grueling season-opening six-game stretch and sit one-half game behind the final AFC Wildcard spot as a result. With 11 games to play following the current bye week, Gang Green could make a serious run at a postseason berth if the defense maintains its high-level performance and the Zach Wilson-led offense continues to operate competently. 

Rodgers was one the sideline for the team's entire 20-14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6 at MetLife Stadium.

"It was good to be out there with the guys. Obviously, an incredible game. An incredible performance by our defense and then just enough plays on offense to make it work," said Rodgers during an October 17 appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. "That locker-room was one of the most fun scenes I've been a part of after a win."

The 39-year-old field general is taking aim at an all-time fast recovery from Achilles surgery. 

"Dr. Neal ElAttrache did kind of a newer, innovative surgery. I asked him if we could push it. If we could push it beyond the normal protocols. Cam Akers had the same surgery. He was able to come back in about five months," said Rodgers.

The four-time NFL MVP would achieve an unprecedented feat should he recover in time to play again this season.

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From Albert Breer's Mailbag (10.19):

Rodney White (@Whitediculous): What are you hearing about a possible timeline for an Aaron Rodgers return to the Jets?

Rodney, first things first—the Jets need to win to make this a possibility.

Right now, Robert Saleh’s crew is 3–3, and they’re through the teeth of their schedule. Their first three games coming out of the bye are against the Giants (1–5), Chargers (2–3) and Raiders (3–3). So it’s not out of bounds to think there’s a chance they’re 6–3 going into Buffalo the Sunday before Thanksgiving. And then, I think, this becomes a little more real.

As for Rodgers’s side of this, what he’s trying to do doesn’t have much, if any, precedent. Then Rams RB Cam Akers made it back in six months, and for the team’s run to Super Bowl LVI, and that was seen as borderline miraculous. For Rodgers to get back for the 2023 playoffs, he’d be looking at a four-month timeline. Would he try to push that even further if the team was 7–6 in December and fighting to get in? Is the start of the playoffs even realistic?

No one’s certain, because, again, there’s no precedent here. But the way the Jets are playing has definitely created curiosity and hope. 

— Albert Breer

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