Aaron Rodgers teases Jets fans with encouraging Achilles injury update on ManningCast

While everyone with even a passing interest in medicine believes that NY Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will miss the remainder of the 2023 season as he recovers from an Achilles injury, the future Hall of Fame quarterback is trying everything he can to beat that initial timeline despite being 40 years old.

Rodgers has consistently said that he intends to play again for the 3-3 Jets this season, which would mean he is either going to play at far less than 100% health or he is a cyborg with a capacity for healing that defies all known medical knowledge.

Unlikely or not, Rodgers is dreaming big and expecting things to progress quite smoothly in the next few weeks. In an appearance on the ManningCast call of the San Francisco 49ers-Minnesota Vikings Monday Night Football game, Rodgers reiterated that his goal is to suit up once again in 2023.

“I’d love to come back this season, Rodgers said. “For me, you always have to set a goal...otherwise you go kind of crazy. So, the goal is definitely to come back. There’s a lot of factors that go into that. I got to get to a point where I can protect myself and do what I do.”

NY Jets QB Aaron Rodgers intends to play again after Achilles injury

Rodgers has continuously hyped the "speed brace" procedure done by Dr. Neal ElAttrache as the secret ingredient that will get him back on the field soon. While this surgery is innovative and could speed up the timeline, three months of recovery time might be a bit too optimistic.

Rodgers has been doing his part to keep fans engaged and believing that he will return as soon as possible. Between him playing catch not even two months after the procedure and popping up at Jets games on the sidelines, Rodgers is clearly missing the game.

Until he gets back, the Jets will have to roll with Zach Wilson. While he doesn't have the talent Rodgers has, the Jets can still scrape together some wins if Wilson manages the game, Breece Hall runs hard, and the much-hyped defense makes plays.

Jets fans shouldn't necessarily expect Rodgers back relatively soon, but you can't criticize Rodgers for not taking this rehab seriously. The Jets will hold down the fort without him, but his injury doesn't appear to have whittled away at his desire to win a championship.