Aaron Rodgers to Be Activated Off IR, Too Little Too Late?

The Jets have been officially out of the playoff race post their loss against the Dolphins. This meant that the chance of witnessing Aaron Rodgers, who had suffered a torn Achilles at the start of the season, take on the gridiron also dropped. However, the latest information from NFL Insider Ian Rapoport has suggested that the New York Jets will add A-Rod to the active roster.

Rodgers had initially expressed his wish to play in his mid-forties. And even hoped that 2024 wasn’t his last season with the Jets, as suggested by his two-year $75 million contract. But, a day ago the QB had informed Pat McAfee that he won’t be returning this year without being ‘100% recovered.’ Meanwhile, it appears that Rodgers’ shift to the active roster is more of an “impact” plan from the Jets.

The Jets to activate Aaron Rodgers ahead of week 16

Exactly 100 days after he left the Jets’ season opener against the Bills due to a torn Achilles, QB Aaron Rodgers is set to be back on the active roster. Reputed NFL insider Ian Rapoport brought the story to light through his official X handle. While the news most likely raised a lot of eyebrows after the QB himself announced he won’t be coming back in 2023, there appears to be a twist in the story.

Rodgers will not play the remaining games but rather be on the active list of the players, according to Rapoport. Even though the 4x NFL MVP won’t be “leading the team in the playoffs, not leading the team to the playoffs”, he is at least active. This, the analyst believed was a move from the Jets’ side to make the most of A-Rod’s impact.

“This is the guy who really inspires his teammates. They want to see him out there, “ said Rapoport. While Aaron Rodgers claims on  the Pat McAfee show remain true, the QB’s activation implies that he will physically engage with his teammates in practice, and replicate his play calls to train the squad. This, according to the insider, is “a pretty cool solution.” 

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While A-Rod won’t be participating in any upcoming games of the men in green this season, he will probably hope to build the momentum for 2024. This will also allow the star football player to actuate himself and his teammates as he aims for a ‘100%’ comeback.

Aaron Rodgers hopes to play with the Jets beyond 2024

Talking to Pat McAfee, the QB said he would be “definitely pushing to play” if he was at his 100%, which he isn’t. “I do feel like in the next three to four weeks, it would have been very possible to get to 100 percent, but obviously not there”, Rodgers also highlighted that he was weeks away from making his match return.

Sadly, that isn’t happening. The hope that the Jets brought with the win over the Bills without Rodgers’ presence, was soon diminished. And it was only a downhill battle from there. Zach Wilson could not live up to his rookie potential in 2022, and his role would probably drop to backup after Rodgers starts next season.

The positive aspect of all remains that the Jets will have the star QB at the bench, which might give them a mentality boost, as pointed out by Ian Rapoport.

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