Voluntary workouts have begun this offseason for Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. Rodgers is a full-go for every off-season activity after head coach Robert Saleh said there would be "no restrictions" for the quarterback eight months after Rodgers' Achilles tear.
It'll soon be Round 2 for the Jets' much-anticipated debut for Rodgers after his season ended on Sept. 11 this past season. Rodgers' season ended after four plays, and Jets fans would have to wait another year to see Rodgers in action.
The Jets won that game despite Rodgers' injury but finished the season 7-10. And now, questions remained: How serious was Rodgers' injury? Would he ever play football again? Will he come back the same player? How long will his recovery take?
Can Jets QB Aaron Rodgers bounce back after Achilles injury?
History has shown us that players who have suffered an Achilles tear can bounce back, but it won’t be easy. Rodgers had surgery to repair his torn Achilles two days after the injury on Sept. 13 and began his recovery. He even spent time with former Ravens running back J.K Dobbins, who also suffered the same injury. Dobbins recently signed with the Chargers.
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Here are a few other professional athletes who suffered similar injuries to Rodgers' Achilles tear.
Kobe Bryant
The late Kobe Bryant suffered a similar injury in 2013 with a ruptured Achilles at the age of 34 — six years younger than Rodgers. Bryant missed eight months and returned to the court for the 2014–15 season — his 19th in the NFL. He played 35 games that year due to multiple injuries and then played 66 games in 2015 in what was ultimately his final season in the NBA.
Kevin Durant
Durant ruptured his Achilles during Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals just before he turned 31 years old. He played for the Warriors at the time. Durant missed the entire 2019-2020 season after he joined the Nets before he started the 2020-2021. He played in just 35 games that season, though, due to multiple injuries. Durant has played 212 games since his injury in five NBA seasons.
Jets added support around Rodgers this offseason
The Jets made sure to give Rodgers help this offseason in his return to the field. New York signed offensive line Tyron Smith and John Simpson, traded for Morgan Moses and drafted Olu Fashanu in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Jets also signed former Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams and drafted receiver Malachi Corley to pair with Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall on offense.
If the Jets can protect Rodgers in 2024, they can be a threat to take down in the AFC. The team's composite power ranking after the draft is 14 — meaning they should be a playoff contender this year.
