Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh on Aaron Rodgers retiring: ‘I’d be shocked if this is the way he's going to go out’
Will the final play of Aaron Rodgers career be the sack by Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd?
Is that how Rodgers goes out?
It can’t be right?
The four-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion ruptured his left Achilles while being sacked on the first drive of the Jets season.
Rodgers will have surgery (which hasn’t been scheduled yet) to repair his Achilles and the expected rehab will be lengthy.
Will the 39-year-old quarterback work his way back to the Jets next season or hang up his cleats?
Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters he doesn’t believe the veteran is done playing football.
"I'd be shocked if this is the way he's going to go out," Saleh said Wednesday.
The Jets head coach said he hasn’t spoken to Rodgers about his future. He told reporters that Rodgers is "working through a whole lot of headspace things that he needs to deal with, and that will be the last thing I talk to him about."
Rodgers is signed through 2025 with the Jets and he said that he planned to play multiple years in New York. He's due to receive $38 million in guarantees in 2024.
This isn’t the first time Rodgers has dealt with an injury, but this Achilles tear will be his biggest challenge. He’s dealt with a fractured clavicle (2013 and 2017), fractured foot (2006), fractured pinky toe (2021), sprained MCL (2018), concussions and calf strains.
Rodgers will be 40 in December will at some point rejoin his teammates at the team facility. Saleh spoke of the importance of having the veteran around, not only for the full 53-man roster but also for Zach Wilson.
"I think it's very important," Saleh said of having Rodgers around the team. "It's important for him. For him, I think it's the mental health and healing. I think that's very important. But his presence, his words. ... I said he's as much a football coach as he is a player. Just having his presence, his thoughts, his words and his leadership, anybody would want that."
While it’s way too early to know whether Rodgers will ultimately retire, judging by his money guarantees, he’s likely to rehab and make a comeback next season.
Rodgers loss will have a massive impact on the Jets this season. Wilson will become the team’s starter and they’ll look to go 2-0 this Sunday. The Jets are on the road to play the Dallas Cowboys, who walloped the Giants 40-0 in Week 1.
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
For additional Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, MLB and NFL content follow Beyond the Monster on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.
Join our new Facebook group for all of our latest content, click the link here.
