Aaron Rodgers’ 2023 Season Is Over

Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks on the field at MetLife Stadium before the game against the Buffalo Bills. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

After the New York Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers, it meant two things for the NFL.

Firstly, the NFC North got to breathe a temporary sigh of relief with the Grim Reaper leaving the division (though Week 1 didn’t bode too well for the three teams not named the Packers with Jordan Love’s performance). It also meant the Jets were going all-in on a Super Bowl berth in 2023. With a top defense, a strong running game, and a future Hall of Famer at QB, they seemed destined to be a contender.

East Rutherford, NJ August 26, 2023 — Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the second offensive drive of the first half. The NY Jets against the NY Giants on August 26, 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, as the rivals play their final preseason game before the start of the NFL season.

Then, Monday night happened. After just four plays, Rodgers was down on the field waiting for trainers to help him off the field. Fears of a broken ankle, or worse, an Achilles tear, swept over the once-excited MetLife Stadium.

On Tuesday morning, those fears became a reality. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Rodgers had in fact torn his Achilles and will miss the remainder of the 2023 season. Rapoport posted on X, “#Jets QB Aaron Rodgers does, in fact, have a torn Achilles, the MRI has confirmed. He’s out for the season after just four snaps.”

Aaron Rodgers’ 2023 Season Is Over

Aaron Rodgers
Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before the game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Rodgers is undoubtedly one of the most talented quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen, passing for 59,055 yards and 475 TDs over the course of his career. Both totals rank among the top-10 among all QBs in NFL history.

This is a huge blow to the Jets for the remainder of this season. However, some hope comes from their outstanding defense that led New York to a victory against the Buffalo Bills despite Rodgers’ injury.

Breece Hall also can help take pressure off of Zach Wilson (or whoever the Jets could bring in as their QB1) with some explosive running ability. The running back has played eight games in his NFL career, and he has totaled 70+ yards from scrimmage in six of them. The Jets are 6-2 in games that he has suited up.

Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Michael Carter (32) and running back Breece Hall (20) pose for a photo before the game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless, the AFC East looks like a wide-open division this season with all four teams being plenty capable of making a run. Rodgers’ injury only makes that race even more interesting as we go through the rest of the season.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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