New York Jets Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Out for the Season with Torn Achilles Tendon
New York Jets coach Robert Saleh confirmed in a Tuesday news conference that quarterback Aaron Rodgers has suffered a torn Achilles tendon, ending his first season with the team. Rodgers sustained the injury during the team’s opening drive in Monday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills. He was sacked by Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd and had to be helped off the field.
Saleh expressed his sympathy for Rodgers, stating, “I feel more for Aaron more than anyone. He’s invested so much into this organization, wanting to be a part of what we got going here… I have a lot of emotions for him.” The coach also confirmed that Rodgers will undergo surgery for his injury.
With Rodgers out for the season, rookie quarterback Zach Wilson will take over as the Jets’ starting quarterback. Saleh expressed confidence in Wilson, stating that he has grown in confidence and is “leap years” ahead of where he was a year ago. However, the Jets have also started reaching out to veteran free-agent quarterbacks to potentially add depth to their roster.
Rodgers’ injury comes as a blow to the Jets, who had high expectations for the season with him as their quarterback. The team had signed Rodgers to a reworked contract worth $75 million guaranteed, saving them around $35 million guaranteed and spreading the cap hit over five years. The Jets were hoping that Wilson would learn from Rodgers and eventually replace him, but now Wilson will have to step up earlier than anticipated.
In Monday’s game against the Bills, Wilson replaced Rodgers and led the team to a come-from-behind 22-16 overtime win. He threw a touchdown and an interception, showing both promise and areas for improvement. It remains to be seen if the Jets will look to add a veteran quarterback through free agency or a trade to support Wilson.
As for Rodgers, his future is uncertain. It is unclear how motivated he will be to return as a 40-year-old coming off an Achilles injury, and there is speculation that he may consider retirement. From the Jets’ perspective, Rodgers’ injury means that they will at least recoup their first-round pick in the 2024 draft. The trade with the Green Bay Packers had conditions on the pick, with the Packers receiving a first-round pick if Rodgers played at least 65 percent of the snaps this season. However, with his season-ending injury, the Packers will now receive the Jets’ 2024 second-round pick.
In conclusion, the New York Jets face a significant setback with Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending injury. Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson will have to step up earlier than anticipated, and the team may look to add a veteran quarterback for support. As for Rodgers, his future is uncertain, and the Jets will now have to reconsider their draft pick situation.