Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has made it clear, seemingly for the hundredth time, that while he wants to return to the field this season, the Jets’ playoff chances will play a factor.
Rodgers made his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show and discussed a potential return again with the caveat the Jets are in the playoff hunt, something Rodgers has mentioned numerous times over the last few weeks.
“I think it’s always been first, am I healthy?” Rodgers told McAfee. “Then, are we in it? Are we playing good enough to make a run? Can I step in and protect myself and play the level that I feel like I’m capable of playing? Can I protect myself? Can I move around the way I want to move around?”
Rodgers has been rehabbing in California and attending Jets game, wearing a headset on the sideline and offering advice during games. Rodgers was potentially looking at a return to practice by next week with a chance to play on Christmas Eve against the Washington Commanders. He has yet to be cleared to practice. Rodgers also said himself he is not at that point yet.
“There’s a natural progression here to the rehab, and that’s going to involve actually getting back onto the field to start to do some things that are more football related,” he said. “But we’re not where I can make a decision on playing because, health-wise, I’m improving steadily, but I’m not an ability to play at this point.”
The Jets are 4-7 after their Week 12 loss to the Miami Dolphins, making their playoff odds extremely minuscule. They are two games out of a wild card spot with six games left. New York almost has to win these next two games at home against the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans to even have a pulse and give Rodgers more thought to returning. A fall to 4-9 with one home game left in their last four would all but spell the end of the Jets’ season and Rodgers’ hopes of playing again in 2024.