Aaron Rodgers' first full season with the Jets was filled with injury questions, from his quick recovery on his Achilles tendon in the offseason to the hamstring, knee and ankle injuries that landed him on the injury report starting in Week 5.
But Rodgers, according to NFL.com, avoided getting any tests for those injuries because he didn't want to “reveal the severity of his injuries for fear of having to come off the field.” He insisted on continuing to play.”
The 40-year-old has said publicly that he feels healthy and has been a full participant in all of Gang Green's practices since Oct. 28, and the next day, Rodgers joked about Thomas Morstead's cayenne pepper and water mixture helping him find his “fountain of youth.”
But while there were moments where Rodgers showed off his mobility, for the most part he was limited outside the pocket — with Patriots nose tackle Davon Godchaux even saying he could “run him over and catch him” after New England's win over the Jets on Oct. 27.
Entering the Jets' bye week, Rodgers has thrown for 2,442 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season, with a disappointing offense to start the campaign — the Jets still haven't reached 30 points in 2024 — one of the early signs the green is starting to turn.
This led to Nathaniel Hackett being stripped of his play-calling duties after Robert Saleh was fired and Jeff Ulbrich became the interim head coach.
But outside of the second half against the Texans on Oct. 31, when Rodgers hit a 3-pointer, the poor results continued.
It has led the Jets and Rodgers to an interesting crossroads — and a looming divorce prospect less than two years after their merger and the opening of a Super Bowl window for the franchise.
Before the Jets' loss to the Colts in Week 11, Rodgers said the way 2024 unfolded didn't change his plans to play in 2025.
But with the firing of Saleh and the canning of general manager Joe Douglas last week, the Jets' offseason will be defined by hiring and new faces on the staff.
Owner Woody Johnson reportedly floated the idea of benching Rodgers after their Week 4 loss to the Broncos as well.
All of which has led to Rodgers being the subject of speculation swirling around the possibility of a stint on injured reserve later this season if he or the Jets decide the quarterback shouldn't continue playing — and what that would mean for Gang Green's future.
Perhaps, at that point, imaging and scanning will reveal just how dangerous Rodgers was playing.
