Aaron Rodgers is set to make his return to the New York Jets on Monday Night Football in Week 1 against the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers.
After tearing his Achilles just four plays into the 2023 season, Rodgers and the Jets are both excited for him to get back into the action. However, there are major questions about the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Coming back from an injury as brutal as a torn Achilles is never an easy task. At 40 years old, Rodgers has been facing an even tougher road to full recovery.
Despite all of the adversity he has faced, Rodgers believes that he’s back and ready to play like his old self. The national media has not completely agreed with him.
Not only has the media had doubts about Rodgers’ ability to get back to playing at an elite level, an anonymous NFL head coach has now spoken out and ripped into him.
As shared by Mike Sando of The Athletic, one head coach doesn’t expect Rodgers to have a good 2024 season.
“You go back and watch those first four plays before he got hurt, he did not look good. He looks old. If they can’t protect him and they can’t run the football, it’ll be just what you saw late stages in Green Bay. He became ineffective. I’m looking at what he is, not who he is.”
It would be interesting to find out which NFL coach said those words. Unfortunately, that is something that will likely never come to light.
Throughout his entire career, Rodgers has made a living off of proving his critics and doubters wrong. There is no reason to think that the 2024 NFL season will be any different.
During training camp, Rodgers has looked great. A lot of videos have come out of him looking like his old MVP self. Those could be deceiving, but there are a lot of reasons for major optimism.
Rodgers will also have an elite supporting cast. Whatever that head coach thinks, New York went out and added weapons and major offensive line help. He will have a much better team around him.
Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams will be his top two wide receivers, while Breece Hall is primed for a major breakout season. An offensive line of Tyron Smith, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Morgan Moses should be much better than he had to work with in 2023.
All of that being said, it will be interesting to see how Roders looks to start the season. He has a lot of people to prove wrong, but he’ll embrace that challenge like he always has throughout every stage of his football career.
Aaron Rodgers, the four-time NFL MVP and future Hall of Famer, is on the brink of a much-anticipated return to the gridiron. After suffering a devastating Achilles injury just four plays into the 2023 season, Rodgers is set to make his comeback under the bright lights of Monday Night Football in Week 1 of the 2024 season. His return, however, is fraught with questions and skepticism, especially as he prepares to face off against the formidable San Francisco 49ers, the reigning NFC champions.
Rodgers’ journey back from a torn Achilles is nothing short of remarkable, particularly given his age—40 years old, an age where most NFL players are either retired or in the twilight of their careers. The road to recovery from such a severe injury is grueling, demanding not just physical resilience but an unshakable mental fortitude. Rodgers, however, has never been one to back down from a challenge. Throughout his illustrious career, he has consistently silenced his critics, turning doubt into fuel for his competitive fire.
Yet, despite his impressive track record, the media has been less than convinced about Rodgers’ ability to return to his former MVP form. Pundits have expressed skepticism, pointing to his age and the severity of his injury as major hurdles that might prevent him from performing at an elite level again. This sentiment was echoed by an anonymous NFL head coach, whose blunt assessment of Rodgers’ prospects for the 2024 season was shared by Mike Sando of The Athletic.
“You go back and watch those first four plays before he got hurt, he did not look good. He looks old. If they can’t protect him and they can’t run the football, it’ll be just what you saw late stages in Green Bay. He became ineffective. I’m looking at what he is, not who he is,” the coach said. These harsh words highlight the doubt that lingers over Rodgers’ ability to lead the Jets effectively, especially if the team’s offensive line fails to protect him adequately.
Rodgers is no stranger to criticism, and throughout his career, he has thrived on proving his detractors wrong. The 2024 season presents yet another opportunity for him to do just that. During training camp, reports and videos have surfaced showcasing Rodgers looking sharp, reminiscent of his MVP-caliber performances of the past. While some might argue that these glimpses could be deceiving, there’s a growing sense of optimism surrounding Rodgers’ return.
One of the reasons for this optimism is the strong supporting cast that the New York Jets have assembled around their star quarterback. Unlike his final years in Green Bay, where the lack of offensive weapons was a constant issue, Rodgers will have an array of talent at his disposal in New York. Wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams are poised to be his primary targets, offering a blend of youth, athleticism, and playmaking ability that Rodgers can exploit.
Additionally, the Jets have made significant improvements to their offensive line, a crucial factor for Rodgers’ success. The line, featuring Tyron Smith, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Morgan Moses, is expected to provide far better protection than what Rodgers had during his brief 2023 season. A solid offensive line will not only give Rodgers the time he needs to make plays but also bolster the team’s running game, which is expected to be spearheaded by Breece Hall, a young running back on the cusp of a breakout season.
Despite the positive developments, the reality is that Rodgers will be under immense pressure when he steps onto the field. The stakes are high, not just for Rodgers but for the Jets organization as a whole. After years of mediocrity and playoff droughts, the Jets are banking on Rodgers to lead them back to relevance and, ideally, deep into the postseason. The team’s investment in him—both in terms of financial commitment and the assets used to acquire him—has raised expectations to unprecedented levels.
Rodgers’ return also carries significant implications for his legacy. A successful comeback would further cement his status as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, demonstrating his ability to overcome adversity and perform at the highest level, even in the latter stages of his career. On the other hand, a subpar season could fuel the narrative that Rodgers’ best days are behind him, potentially hastening the end of his storied career.
As the 2024 season kicks off, all eyes will be on Aaron Rodgers. His performance in Week 1 against the 49ers will be scrutinized by fans, analysts, and opponents alike. While there are many who doubt his ability to return to form, there are just as many, if not more, who believe that Rodgers has what it takes to defy the odds once again.
The coming weeks and months will reveal whether Rodgers can live up to the high expectations placed upon him. If history is any guide, Rodgers will embrace the challenge, using the doubts and criticisms as motivation to perform at his best. In a career filled with remarkable moments, the 2024 season could very well add another chapter to the legend of Aaron Rodgers—a chapter that showcases not just his talent, but his indomitable spirit and unyielding will to win.