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Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who captivated the sports world for three months with his bid to return from Achilles surgery faster than any player in NFL history, indicated Tuesday that he won’t play again this season.
But Rodgers intends to play in 2024 and beyond.
An upbeat Rodgers, appearing on the “Pat McAfee Show,” said a return to action would have been “an absolute no-brainer” for a playoff game. But the Jets (5-9) were eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday, and that cemented Rodgers’ decision.
“If I was 100% today, I’d be definitely pushing to play,” he said. “But the fact is, I’m not.”
Rodgers, who underwent surgery on Sept. 13, said it was always “unrealistic to think that I would be 100% to be medically cleared at any point during the regular season.” But the four-time MVP was willing to play and take the risk if the Jets still had a shot at the postseason.
Rodgers’ 21-day practice window closes Wednesday. If the Jets don’t activate him, it means Rodgers, 40, will remain on injured reserve for the final three weeks.
The Jets’ only reason to activate Rodgers would be to allow him to continue practicing, but that seems unlikely because he’d take up a spot on the 53-man roster.