The New York Jets are off this week, but the drama swirling within the troubled organization hasn’t taken a break.
Aaron Rodgers, who has been described as “beaten up” over the past few months, has reportedly resisted medical exams offered by the Jets. According to NFL Network’s Ian RapoportRodgers did not want to “reveal the severity of his injuries for fear of having to leave the field.”
“Banged” is an indirect term used when a player is dealing with multiple injuries, as is the case with Rodgers. But the continued lack of details about his injuries makes more sense now; The Jets don’t know what’s going on with Rodgers because he doesn’t let them know. At this point, it’s unclear if Rodgers knows the details of his injuries.
It is possible that these injuries of unknown severity are what prevent him from playing better. The 40-year-old is coming off an Achilles injury that sidelined him just four plays into the 2023 season, and since returning he has been a magnet for leg-related injuries. He said his knee was a little swollen. after the Jets’ Week 4 loss to the Denver Broncos, but according to Rapoport, Rodgers also suffered a “significant” hamstring injury that he insisted on overcoming. A week later he suffered a sprained ankle. against the Minnesota Vikings. Then, in Week 7, Rodgers’ hamstring issue flared up again. He’s played through all these injuries.
With just six games left in the season and the Jets committing to a rebuild after firing their head coach and general manager, Rodgers’ resistance to the team’s medical treatment may be related to his desire to play in 2025. If you feel or is placed on injured reserve, he has no chance to show any improvement or prove to at least one general manager or owner that he has enough left in the tank at his (future) 41 years to lead a team to glory.
Playing through multiple injuries may not be the best way for Rodgers to achieve this, but if he wants to suit up as a starting quarterback in 2025, he may decide it’s his only option.