Aaron Rodgers, on his weekly appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, all but shut down hopes of the 40-year-old returning to the Jets this season, revealing that he is likely still weeks away from being medically cleared.
“I think the whole time, it’s been hoping that we’re still in it. It was unrealistic to think I would be 100 percent to be medically cleared at any point during the regular season,” Rodgers said. “I do feel like in the next three to four weeks it would be very possible to get to 100 percent, but obviously not there. So the conversation was away from 100 percent medical clearance to a willingness to play, and that’s never been a problem for me.
“If I was 100 percent today I'd definitely be pushing to play…being medically cleared as 100 percent healed is not realistic at 14 weeks.”
The Jets have been mathematically eliminated, so Rodgers returning doesn’t seem to make much sense given the risk of reinjury, especially if he wasn’t 100 percent healthy. So, the attention turns to next season, and Rodgers seems committed to the Jets, even voicing a desire to play beyond next season.
“I felt like when I came here that I got a renewed passion and love for the game…I’ve wanted at least two years, and I kind of feel like this was a lost year…I don't think next year will be my last year,” Rodgers said while voicing a belief in the Jets organization despite the current turmoil of another lost season. “It’s not a situation where we need to rebuild. We need to reload a little bit…We have a lot of great young players.”