Aaron Rodgers has wildly ambitious goal after Achilles surgery
Aug 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
It has been widely assumed that Aaron Rodgers will miss the remainder of the 2023 season after he suffered a torn Achilles on Monday night, but the quarterback is apparently not yet committed to that timeline.
Rodgers is hoping to return to the New York Jets for the playoffs, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media. The 39-year-old underwent a modern procedure on Wednesday that was performed by renowned orthopedic Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Rodgers could, if all goes well, be fully recovered much sooner than the rehab timeline typically associated with a torn Achilles, which is 9-12 months.
Sources familiar with the procedure told Rapoport and Pelissero that the surgery, which is called a “speed bridge,” is designed to have an athlete recovered in as little as four months. If Rodgers were cleared that quickly, he might have a shot to play in the postseason.
Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers had the speed bridge procedure performed by Dr. ElAttrache after Akers tore his Achilles during practice on July 19, 2021. Akers returned five-and-a-half months later and played in Week 18.
Rodgers hinted during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” this week that he has not ruled out playing again this season. He did so while making some very strong statements about his future.
Rodgers is obviously motivated to return as quickly as possible, but the odds remain stacked against him. Even if his rehab goes perfectly and doctors give him the green light to play in January, he would have to play in a high-stakes game as a 40-year-old quarterback who has not taken a hit in nearly five months.
If the Jets are out of playoff contention late in the season, Rodgers will not have to push his rehab. Either way, it seems like he has made up his mind about playing in 2024.
