Ever since All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down with an Achilles injury in Week 1, the New York Jets and their fans have been hoping for something to keep them optimistic about this season and beyond.
Rodgers having his 21-day practice window opened recently certainly helped with that optimism, but if the Jets continue to struggle during the next few weeks and they’re out of the playoff race, it doesn’t sound like the veteran quarterback is going to return to the field.
According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Twitter, Rodgers is not expected to be activated this year if New York is out of contention for a postseason berth.
Rapoport also added that the Jets could still activate the All-Pro quarterback if they are out of a playoff race, but they would just keep as the team’s emergency No. 3 signal-caller each week (via Ian Rapoport on Twitter).
If the #Jets are out of the playoffs, Rodgers is not expected to be cleared, sources say. But there is also this: https://t.co/u5ArYnWoHq pic.twitter.com/SoLG1Xv42N
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 3, 2023
Heading into the 2023 season, the Jets had aspirations of competing for a Super Bowl with Rodgers starting under center for them.
But the injury suffered by the quarterback in the first quarter of their Week 1 win over the Buffalo Bills quickly shelved New York’s dreams of being a Super Bowl contender this season.
Jets fans attempted to remain optimistic after Rodgers’ injury, and the team actually had a 4-3 record in Week 8.
But since then, New York has lost four in a row, they’ve benched quarterback Zach Wilson for Tim Boyle, and they are the No. 15 seed in the AFC playoff picture heading into their Week 13 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
At this point, the Jets and their fans are likely better off just looking ahead to next season.
NEXT:
Aaron Rodgers Sends Another Message About His Potential Return