Aaron Rodgers is not coming back to play this season. Stop it

Let’s get straight to the point and address the Jets’ quarterback situation. Aaron Rodgers returning to play for the Jets this season doesn’t make sense for their present or future circumstances.

Watching a team with a championship-ready defense play offense three yards at a time is undeniably difficult, but that’s the reality the Jets are facing. No matter how many times Rodgers says to players on the field that he will be back in a few weeks, creating the illusion that he’s close to playing serves no purpose.

Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon four plays into the Jets’ season opener against the Bills, setting the theme for their season: a continuous “what if?” What if Rodgers was able to come back? What if the Jets didn’t have to waste a championship-caliber defense on Zach Wilson? What if this team had just average quarterback play?

However, Rodgers returning at this rate of speed would be unprecedented. It’s been just about two months since Rodgers tore his Achilles. The closest comparison would be current Vikings running back Cam Akers, who first tore his Achilles in July 2021. Akers returned in record time but has not been the same since. Rodgers turns 40 next month, making his recovery even more improbable.

Furthermore, the supporting cast might not be able to protect Rodgers if he were to return. The Jets currently have the 11th seed in the AFC and will need to keep pace with other strong teams, making it extremely difficult to win with an offense that’s struggling.

This may all be for naught if the Jets fail to make the playoffs this year with Wilson as their quarterback. Rodgers insinuating that he was going to return this season has triggered speculation, but the reality is that it would be wiser to wait until next year to see if Rodgers can return to form once he’s truly at full strength.