Aaron Rodgers, making his Jets debut, was taken off the field after injuring his left Achilles on his fourth play in Monday Night Football's game against the Buffalo Bills. He will miss the rest of the 2023 season.
On a Tuesday media call, Jets head coach Robert Saleh said, “He’s out for the year. He needs surgery.” Saleh didn't know the four-time MVP's surgical schedule or recovery.
Rodgers, 39, was the league's second-oldest player in his 19th season. An MRI on Tuesday showed Rodgers' left Achilles tendon completely torn, according to CNN sources.
Saleh told reporters, “We know it’s torn. That’s confirmed.” The injury occurred when Bills edge rusher Leonard Floyd sacked Rodgers on the team's first drive in the first quarter.
Rodgers hobbled briefly before falling. The Jets' medical crew helped him off the field at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.After being examined in the blue medical tent on the sidelines, the 39-year-old was carted to the locker room and missed the game.
After Rodgers was injured, Zach Wilson took over at quarterback. Saleh declared Wilson the starting quarterback for the year on Tuesday.
Rodgers was the Jets' key offseason acquisition after missing the playoffs since 2010. Some NFL commentators thought Rodgers could help the team reach the playoffs and win.“We all wanted to see Aaron Rodgers out there, one of the greatest players to ever play the game,” CNN sports analyst and former NFL player Coy Wire said Tuesday morning.
The four-time league MVP was expected to restore the Jets to their glory, similar to Broadway Joe (Namath) 55 years ago, who won their only Super Bowl title.” Wire thinks the Jets might still win a lot of games after a late touchdown over the Super Bowl candidate Bills on Monday night.