It was yet another forgettable year for fans of the NFL’s New York Jets. The franchise has exemplified mediocrity in the decades since Joe Namath famously predicted the stunning upset the team pulled in the first Super Bowl against the highly favored Kansas City Chiefs. Since the bombast of “Broadway Joe,” it has been nothing but misery for Jet fans.
This was supposed to be the season it all changed for the New York Jets. The team already had a talented, young roster full of playmakers and an up-and-coming head coach in Robert Saleh, but they lacked what every team needs to make a deep postseason run: a quarterback. Enter Aaron Rodgers. The Jets signed the future Hall of Famer after the Packers decided to move on, and with the pieces already in place, the Jets were a sexy favorite to make their first Super Bowl appearance since 1967.
Unfortunately for Jet fans, Aaron Rodger’s achilles tendon had other ideas, and four plays into the season, it tore, and the team was essentially done. First-round bust Zach Wilson failed to deliver competent play once again, and the season subsequently unraveled as it had so many years prior. Rodgers, for his part, made nothing short of a miraculous recovery from the injury and even lobbied to play late in the season, but with the playoffs out of the realm of possibility, the team decided to shut him down in hopes of having him back next season.
The team recently honored the Packer legend for his commitment and perseverance as he recovered from a disastrous injury by voting him “most inspirational player” for the 2023 season. It is a telling honor, considering Rodgers played so very little. In an era when star players pout and preen, Rodgers stayed on the sideline, helping coach the quarterbacks and mentoring whoever the Jets put under center each week.
The four-time MVP could have taken his time rehabbing and watched from the comfort of a luxury box, but instead stalked the sidelines, and even returned to practice in November, even playing some defense for the scout team. It was an amazing comeback from an injury that often effectively ends the careers of much younger players. For this, the Jets honored Rodgers.
Coach Robert Saleh said: “He wanted to be here. I think he’s sacrificed so much already for the organization and himself and his teammates, and he’s doing it again. I think it’s a testament to who he is as a human. Yeah, obviously, there’s a little bit of that drive where he wants to prove that it can be done faster than anyone’s ever done before. That’s OK. That is just part of his mental makeup.” Saleh continued: “I think he still runs with a chip on his shoulder, and that’s the way he lives his life, where he always wants to prove people wrong, in terms of doubting him and he’s a special human. I think his actions are showing and how much he appreciates this organization and everything around it.”
Being in New York has reignited Rodger’s love for the game as he explained recently, and even hinted at playing beyond next season. He said: “When I came here, I got kind of a renewed passion and love for the game. I don’t think next year will be my last year. With some of the things that I’ve learned this year about taking care of my body and surrounding myself with some creative people who have helped me with my nutrition and functional training at a more acute level, I feel I can play more years and I can be effective into my 40s.”
Playing into his 40s is good news for the Jets and good news for the NFL. The league has struggled with the quality of play at the most important position, and the quality of the product has suffered as a result. Having a Hall of Fame player like Rodgers play into his 40s will help bridge the gap, ala Tom Brady in Tampa. Maybe he can even do what Brady did and win a championship with a new team. Jet fans would certainly appreciate it.
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