Despite Aaron Rodgers’ ‘Unbelievable’ Impact, Ex-Jets WR Questions Super Bowl Caliber With Looming Expectations After Achilles Injury Comeback

Aaron Rodgers’ Jets’ arrival was expected to change everything. The veteran QB joined the powerful team with Super Bowl ambitions after being traded from the Packers during the 2023 offseason. However, a devastating Achilles tendon tear four plays into the season crushed their dreams. With Rodgers recovering, the Jets were 4-7 entering Week 13, raising questions about their potential to secure a Super Bowl.

Craig Carton, a former Jets WR, doesn’t believe Rodgers’ “unbelievable” impact. During The Carton Show, he questions the Jets’ Super Bowl caliber, stating, “Ah, Super Bowl, we all agree that we’ve got the best roster of football, so now it’s all about health. If they stay healthy, the New York Jets are gonna play well until late January… and fingers crossed until February and the second Sunday of February” This also draws attention to ‘looming expectations’ with the Jets.

Carton had initially raised concerns that Aaron Rodgers’ impact goes beyond his play on the pitch. He calls Rodgers a “lousy general manager” for bringing in former teammates, such as Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. The Jets’ current offensive ranking of 30th in the NFL (points per game) and these personnel moves cast question on Rodgers’ leadership abilities overall.

However, Carton also remarks that he has realistic expectations set on the Jets for the Super Bowl. He continued, “And Super Bowl—believe it or not, those are realistic expectations for the New York Jets. Now, this doesn’t mean they’re gonna get there; it doesn’t mean they’re gonna win the super bowl, but the question is: what are the expectations? And I believe they are a Super Bowl caliber team!”

The Packers benefited from the injury in addition to the Jets’ season being disrupted. A conditional draft pick dependent on Rodgers’ playing time was included in the exchange. The Jets will send a second-round pick rather than a probable first-round pick because of the injury, which usually necessitates a protracted recovery period. This will, of course, reduce their future Super Bowl caliber. However, Rodgers is now seen participating in the OTAs in full-go! 

Rodgers back at the helm and ready to lead post injury

Post his injury, Aaron Rodgers is now actively participating in OTAs without restrictions. With a career-best 475:105 TD-to-INT ratio, Rodgers rarely makes mistakes. He’s passed for 59,055 yards in 231 career starts and 231 professional outings, kind of tinkering with his approach (but again staying exceedingly focused).

Rodgers admitted that following the rupture of his left Achilles tendon in the Jets’ season opener, he momentarily believed his playing days may be gone. The QB stated in an extensive, two and a half-hour interview that aired on the “I Can Fly” podcast, “I genuinely believed that this was it. You won’t come back from this injury!” 

After spending 18 years with the Packers, Rodgers was moved to the Jets over the summer. On September 11, he made his New York debut, but was hurt after just four plays. The 40-year-old said, “I really fell back in love with the game that I first fell in love with when I was five years old. And then, I performed in four plays on one of the most depressing nights of my life. That sounds like an ego death”

Needless to say, Rodgers’ comeback energizes the team and gives them purpose. The Jets’ 30th-ranked offense from last season should improve with their star QB returning. However, the question still remains: Does A.Rod have what it takes to become MVP again, given he’s just recovered from the injury? Time will tell. But one thing’s clear: this season, the Jets will be a team to watch!