The Jets' 2023 season went off the rails after just four offensive snaps when QB Aaron Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles. For better or worse, they didn't panic. Will it pay off in 2024?
Achilles tears aren't especially common for quarterbacks, let alone 40-year-old quarterbacks. Rodgers didn't fulfill his goal of a rapid return from the injury last season, but returning to play at a high level even a full year later would be quite a feat for the four-time MVP.
Rather than explore other options, the Jets put their faith in Rodgers' health and are rolling into the season with expectations that he will play well enough to guide a talented roster to the franchise's first playoff appearance in 13 years.
Here's what you need to know about Rodgers' status for "Monday Night Football" against the 49ers in Week 1.
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Is Aaron Rodgers playing tonight?
Rodgers is all set to play against the 49ers in the Jets' season opener. The 40-year-old wasn't able to return last season, but he fully participated in OTAs and training camp ahead of this season.
Monday marks exactly 364 days since Rodgers was carted to the MetLife Stadium locker room with what was quickly feared — and later confirmed — to be a torn Achilles. While he's practiced plenty, he hasn't played in a competitive game since. The Jets held Rodgers out of the preseason, opting to preserve his health.
New York also held backup Tyrod Taylor out of its final two preseason games, knowing Rodgers' health is far from a guarantee at his age.
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With so much time away from the field, it's not certain what the Jets are going to get out of Rodgers against a talented 49ers defense. Expectations are high for New York, but the Jets are underdogs against the reigning NFC champions and might simply settle for Rodgers getting through unscathed before an easier stretch of the schedule over the rest of the month.
Rodgers, however, is looking to prove just about everyone wrong and beat a team that's had his number in the playoffs.
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Jets QB depth chart
| QB | Player |
| 1 | Aaron Rodgers |
| 2 | Tyrod Taylor |
| 3 | Adrian Martinez |
Once Rodgers committed to returning in 2024, there was little doubt the Jets were going to move forward with him as their starting quarterback. However, it was also clear New York wanted to upgrade at backup quarterback after Zach Wilson heavily disappointed in place of Rodgers last season.
While a porous offensive line was a factor, Wilson didn't show nearly enough to earn another season with the Jets. GM Joe Douglas instead went out and signed the veteran Taylor, who isn't exactly young and has an injury history but is considered one of the game's steadier backups.
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Taylor has started 58 games over 13 NFL seasons, receiving starts for five different teams and posting a 29-28-1 record. Still a mobile quarterback even at 35, Taylor has limitations as a passer but has never thrown more than six interceptions in a season.
Rodgers and Taylor are the only quarterbacks on the Jets' active roster. New York's emergency quarterback is Adrian Martinez, who won a training camp battle with Andrew Peasley. Martinez went undrafted out of Kansas State in 2022 and relies heavily on his rushing ability, but he was named the UFL MVP earlier in 2024.
