The New York Jets opted to activate Aaron Rodgers from injured reserve last week even though he is not going to play again this season, and the star quarterback says he was not in favor of the decision.
Last Wednesday was the deadline for the Jets to activate Rodgers from injured reserve, as the quarterback’s 21-day practice window was opened on Nov. 29. The team is eliminated from playoff contention, but Rodgers was still activated so he can continue to practice in an official capacity as part of his Achilles rehab.
Because they activated Rodgers to the 53-man roster, the Jets had to cut a player. The team waived veteran fullback Nick Bawden, though they later signed Bawden to their practice squad.
During his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” Tuesday, Rodgers said he asked the Jets to place him on season-ending injured reserve rather than activate him.
“I asked to be put on IR because, you know, there was a conversation of do you want to practice? I said not at the expense of somebody else getting cut,” Rodgers explained. “I know how this works, and I didn’t feel like I needed to practice to continue my rehab. I could do on-the-field stuff on the side. Obviously, I got overruled there. It is what it is.”
Rodgers said he called Bawden immediately to tell the fullback that the decision to be activated from IR was not one that Rodgers made. Bawden, a third-year veteran who was on the roster at the start of the season, is fully vested and still getting his full salary, so he told Rodgers not to fret.
“It’s an interesting spot for me because I’m basically just saying, hey, (put me on) IR because this season is over for me. Again, I got overruled,” Rodgers added. “Because of that, I was on the practice field. I love to practice. I didn’t want it to be at the expense of a teammate, but that’s out of my control.”
"I asked to be put on IR because I didn't wanna practice at the expense of somebody getting cut..
I didn't feel like I needed to practice to continue my rehab but obviously I got overruled there" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/XHmsGTfxL3
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 26, 2023
The Jets obviously feel it is in their best interest to keep Rodgers as hands-on as possible. The 40-year-old has essentially become an offensive assistant while rehabbing. Rodgers also made it clear recently that he is invested in the success of the Jets not only in 2024 but beyond.
Rodgers confirmed on Tuesday that he was still on track to return for the Jets’ Week 16 game had they remained in playoff contention. That was never a realistic outcome.
