In a shocking turn of events, NFL superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers has suffered a torn left Achilles tendon, effectively ending his season, according to New York Jets coach Robert Saleh. The news was shared during a press conference on Tuesday, September 12.
An MRI exam conducted in the morning confirmed the worst fears for the 39-year-old, four-time NFL Most Valuable Player. The injury occurred when he was sacked by Buffalo’s Leonard Floyd just four plays into his highly anticipated Jets debut. Despite the setback, the Jets managed to secure a 22-16 victory against the Buffalo Bills in the season opener for both teams.
Saleh expressed the team’s disappointment over Rodgers’ injury, stating, “He’s down. With everything he has invested and it lasting four plays, you can imagine it’s disappointing.”
There are concerns that Rodgers, who will turn 40 in December, may have played his final game. Saleh refrained from discussing the quarterback’s future, saying, “I did not get into the future of what he’s expecting. I’ll let him get into those questions. We’ll try to let him breathe and give him some time to process everything.”
Rodgers, who spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers before being traded to the Jets in April, suffered the injury only minutes into the game. Initially, it was described as a left ankle injury. As he hobbled off the field with the assistance of the medical staff, it became apparent that the injury was more severe than initially thought.
“I feel more for Aaron than anyone. He has invested so much in this organization, into this journey he has embarked on,” empathized Saleh.
Rodgers’ arrival at the Jets had been a major storyline throughout the NFL offseason. The team saw him as the missing piece necessary for a legitimate shot at championship contention.
With Rodgers absent, the Jets will now be led by Zach Wilson, a young quarterback who struggled to a record of 8-14 in his previous two seasons. Despite this, Saleh expressed confidence in Wilson, stating, “Zach has proven to be a very capable quarterback. We have all the faith in the world in Zach.”
In light of Rodgers’ injury, bookmakers have adjusted the Jets’ odds of winning the Super Bowl from 16-1 to 35-1. However, Saleh remains optimistic about the team’s prospects, asserting, “I don’t know why people are trying to put an obituary under our team name. There are 52 other guys in the locker room who believe we can do a hell of a lot of good things.”
The injury further compounds the ongoing disappointments for long-suffering Jets fans. The team’s only Super Bowl victory dates back to 1969, and they currently hold the longest playoff drought in major North American sports, last appearing in the postseason in 2010.
This is not the first time the Jets have had their hopes dashed at the start of a much-anticipated season. In 1999, following a successful campaign that fell just short of the Super Bowl, the team experienced a similar blow when Vinny Testaverde suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture in the opener.
As for the trade that brought Rodgers to the Jets, the Green Bay Packers are owed a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Originally, it would have been a first-rounder if Rodgers had played in 65% of the Jets’ snaps this season.
In the midst of contemplating potential trades or free agents to bolster their quarterback position, many commentators and fans have speculated on reaching out to 46-year-old Tom Brady, the NFL’s all-time leader in completions, passing yardage, and touchdown throws. Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, came out of a brief 40-day retirement last year to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring “for good” in February. However, there has been no official confirmation or announcement regarding such a move.
In the meantime, the Jets will rely on reserve quarterback Tim Boyle, who will be elevated from the practice squad to support Zach Wilson in this unexpected new chapter for the team.
The Jets’ next game is scheduled for Sunday in Dallas against the Cowboys, followed by matchups against the New England Patriots and reigning champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, in the subsequent weeks.
