Can Aaron Rodgers really return to play for the New York Jets as soon as January 2024?
Known for his tough mentality and creative approach to the game, the former Packers star has made it clear that he’s going to return and we’d like it see that.
Though it’s true that Aaron Rodgers’ first season with the New York Jets is likely over before really getting underway, the star QB has set his sights on a January return, which is to say that should his team make a trip to the postseason he could, in theory, be there to help.
What’s the situation with Aaron Rodgers following surgery?
If you’ve been following then you know that a whole lot has happened to Aaron Rodgers in the last week. Firstly, there was the terrible injury that he suffered last Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills. Indeed, what was diagnosed as a torn Achilles tendon brought an end to his contribution just four snaps into the game. As terms like ‘season-ending’ were thrown around, Rodgers underwent surgery on Wednesday in an effort to repair the damage, and subsequently shared a photo from his hospital bed with an accompanying caption that indicated the operation went “great.”
What you may not know, however, is the nature of the operation that Rodgers received. According to reports, the 39-year-old underwent an innovative surgery which is aimed at accelerating the rehabilitation process and to that end is said to be aiming for a mid-January return. Performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the procedure involved the placement of an internal brace called a “speed bridge” on Rodgers’ left Achilles. It’s understood that the process can in fact have an athlete back on their feet within four months. To be clear, speed bridges aren’t a guarantee of a quicker recovery, but they do strengthen the repair itself.
So, can Aaron Rodgers really return earlier than projected?
Earlier this week, Rodgers took to social with his first post-surgery comments. “I shall rise again”, he said as he made it clear that quitting was not an option. Then, you would have seen in our previous report, Rodgers made his first public appearance since the injury on the “Pat McAfee Show” earlier this week. During his appearance, the four-time MVP appeared to be in good spirits as he spoke openly about a plan for rehabilitation that he believes will “shock some people.” It’s worth mentioning that Rodgers referenced the late Kobe Bryant, who famously received platelet-rich plasma injections after he tore his Achilles tendon in 2013. Indeed, Dr. Neal ElAttrache is the same surgeon who operated on Bryant at that time, something Rodgers admitted that he wanted.
Though he declined to give specific dates, it’s fairly clear that Rodgers is aiming to do something unprecedented. When pressed during his appearance on the McAfee’s show, Rodgers replied with “I think as Kevin Garnett said, ‘Anything is possible.’” That was of course after his rather defiant statement when he spoke to directly to those who may doubt him. “I think what I’d like to say is ... Give me the doubts,” Rodgers said. “Give me the timetables. Give me all the things that you think can, should or will happen. Because all I need is that one little extra percent of inspiration. ...That’s all I need. ...Give me your timetables, give me your doubts, give me your prognostications and then watch what I do.”