ESPN analyst expects NY Jets QB Aaron Rodgers to return by Week 13

NY Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has vowed to do everything in his power to play again this season after suffering a torn Achilles just four plays into his Jets career.

Rodgers believes that he can pull off the impossible and return to the field roughly four months after tearing his Achilles. If you ask ESPN's Mike Greenberg, he believes Rodgers could be back even sooner.

Greenberg, a well-known Jets fanatic, said on ESPN's Get Up on Tuesday that he believes Rodgers could return as early as the team's Week 13 game against the Atlanta Falcons. That would put Rodgers on track to return less than three months after his Achilles tear.

Needless to say, that's a ridiculously bold prediction that even the most optimistic of Jets fans will scoff at. That's Greenberg, though. His Jets takes are brazen, to say the least.

"It's got to be .500 by Week 12, and then Aaron is coming back. Aaron is coming back in Week 13 if they are .500! It's going to happen!"

- Mike Greenberg

Could NY Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers return as soon as Week 13?

Rodgers is determined to defy the odds and play football again this season. If he does return at any point, it would mark one of the most significant and miraculous injury recoveries in sports history.

Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers notoriously returned just under six months after tearing his Achilles in 2021. That was remarkable in its own right — what Rodgers is attempting to do is downright unprecedented.

Even if Rodgers were to return for a playoff run in January, that would still be just four months after suffering a torn Achilles. That's never been done before in NFL history.

Needless to say, Greenberg's prediction that Rodgers could be back as soon as December 3rd is wildly reckless and far too hopeful. Six months is optimistic. Four months is unprecedented. Less than three months seems impossible.

Rodgers attests that he's farther along in his recovery than most would be at this stage of his rehab process. He's credited the renowned Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the surgery, for help with his rehab.

Aaron Rodgers believes he will play again this season, and it's hard to doubt him. What we can doubt, however, is Greenberg's wild prediction that he will be back in time for Week 13. It's safe to say that's probably not happening.