When Aaron Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles just four snaps into his first game with the Jets, it was presumed that his season was over.
However, Rodgers hasn't been willing to give up on the dream of playing again in 2023. He continued to fuel the fire around his potential return after the Jets' 27-6 loss to the Chargers on "Monday Night Football."
ESPN's broadcast crew captured a brief conversation between Rodgers and Chargers safety Derwin James.
MORE: Chargers shut down Zach Wilson in romp over Jets
James asked Rodgers when he would be returning to the field. The veteran quarterback's response?
"In a few weeks," he replied.
Chargers’ safety Derwin James asked Aaron Rodgers, postgame last night, “When you coming back?”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 7, 2023
Rodgers responded, “A few weeks.” pic.twitter.com/R4jMNSLQ6E
When is Aaron Rodgers coming back?
On the surface, this claim would seem outlandish. After all, Rodgers tore his Achilles just two months ago. The average recovery time for the injury is 9-12 months, and even Cam Akers' rapid recovery from a torn Achilles in 2021 took five and a half months.
Even so, Rodgers has been seen walking around and throwing a football in recent weeks, so perhaps he has just recovered remarkably from the severe injury and is ready to push the limits to see what else he can accomplish?
Well, not so much. Rodgers acknowledged Tuesday during his weekly appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he was just having fun with James, a longtime friend represented by the same agency.
"I've known Derwin James for a while and I have a lot of respect for him and his game..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 7, 2023
It'd be nice to be back in a couple weeks but unfortunately that's not a realistic timeline"@AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/W8ubdK9uft
"I didn't realize that was going to get caught there. Obviously that was said with a little tongue in cheek there. It'd be nice to be able to be back in a couple weeks; that's probably not anywhere near a realistic timeline ... it's more of a phrase that didn't have a specific timetable."
Pressed by McAfee on a potential timetable, Rodgers settled on: "It's gonna be a few fortnights."
MORE: Will Aaron Rodgers return this season? QB 'ahead of schedule' in Achilles recovery
Either way, Jets fans will be hoping that Rodgers is able to return to action as quickly as possible. The team has stayed afloat without him, going 4-4 in eight games and riding one of the NFL's strongest defenses to the thick of the AFC playoff race.
That said, Zach Wilson has struggled to play consistently at quarterback. He has shown little to no pocket awareness, taking 31 total sacks and fumbling eight times in his eight games played. He also is the NFL's 30th-ranked passer rating among 32 qualified players, Pro Football Focus' 30th-graded quarterback among 36 qualifiers and has led the Jets to 16.5 points per game, the third-worst mark in the NFL.
Suffice to say that Rodgers would provide the Jets with an upgrade over Wilson even if he isn't 100 percent. That may not be enough to make New York a true Super Bowl contender because of its poor offensive line, but it might at least give them a better shot to make the playoffs.
MORE: Robert Saleh insists loss to Chargers wasn't a step back for Zach Wilson
Of course, that will require the Jets to stay afloat for a few more weeks to justify bringing Rodgers back — if he can go. That may not prove easy given the way that Wilson and the offense are playing.
So, while Rodgers' status bears watching, there are several obstacles he and the Jets must clear before the quarterback can even consider a return to action.
