- The team has confirmed that the 39-year-old has ruptured his Achilles tendon
- He is still under contract for next season, after which he could return at the age of 40
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Aaron Rodgers’ first season with the New York Jets is officially over.
As confirmed by Tuesday’s MRI, the 39-year-old quarterback suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his left ankle on Monday night, just four games into his Jets career.
Rodgers remains in contact with the Jets for next season after agreeing to a two-year, restructured, $75 million deal with the team in July.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh expressed fears of a season-ending injury after New York’s stunning overtime victory against the visiting Buffalo Bills on Monday night: “It’s not good.”
Unfortunately for Jets fans, Saleh’s fears came true on Tuesday, and now the team will prepare to continue the season with 24-year-old Zach Wilson at quarterback.
Aaron Rodgers’ season with the New York Jets is officially over, an MRI confirmed Monday
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers is injured while being sacked by Bills defenseman Leonard Floyd
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is treated on the field during the first quarter
A former BYU star and second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, it was Wilson’s struggles over the past two seasons that led the Jets to acquire Rodgers in a blockbuster trade last April.
New York didn’t give up too much to get Green Bay’s four-time MVP — essentially trading first-round picks and throwing in a second-rounder from Cleveland — but the Jets did make a significant financial investment in the quarterback .
After initially agreeing to a three-year deal with $110 million guaranteed, the Jets and Rodgers reworked the contract in July, which amounted to a $35 million pay cut for the former Super Bowl winner.
Rodgers has insisted he wants to play more than one season in New York.
Zach Wilson of the New York Jets celebrates the victory over the Buffalo Bills on Monday evening
Wilson was far from perfect in Rodgers’ place Monday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey. He threw a late touchdown to Garrett Wilson to send the game into overtime, though credit goes to the second-year wideout, who tipped the ball to himself while fending off Bills defensive back Tre’Davious White.
Still, despite an interception, Wilson completed 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards as he kept New York in position to pull off a major upset at MetLife Stadium and move to 1-0 on the season.
“It was crazy,” Zach Wilson said later, as quoted by the team website. “First of all, I have so much love for him (Rodgers), my heart goes out. I know he will find a way to come back. It’s tough, it hurts us as a team.
‘But my job was to go the extra mile and be as efficient as possible. There were a lot of emotions, week 1, opening day. I’ve tried to learn from this man, but be prepared to go. Stay calm and perform.”
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is helped off the field during the first quarter
Zach Wilson received a vote of confidence from New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh
Zach Wilson also got a vote of confidence from Saleh, who opted to keep the struggling quarterback as Rodgers’ backup this season over fan objections.
“I thought he was great,” Saleh said after the match. “He had some big third-down throws to extend the drive and score points.
‘Good control of the group, lots of gritty scrambling. He was intercepted and bounced back, but didn’t let it snow. We still have a lot of confidence in him and have proven that by keeping him here (after the Rodgers acquisition) and continuing to invest in him.
“He still has a long way to go in terms of growth, but what I love is his mental state and the confidence he has in himself. Today was a good example of how we think about him and how he can play. He’ll be great.’