WATCH: Jets' Rodgers Joining ‘Players Club 45’ with Tom Brady?
Is New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers about to channel his inner ‘Tom Brady?’
While the 40-year-old is understandably focused on his return from offseason Achilles surgery, he is also keeping an eye on his NFL future. In fact, he may see himself still taking snaps on a pro football field into his mid-forties — akin to the aforementioned longtime Jets nemesis who retired last offseason at the age of 45.
During a recent appearance on the Look Into It podcast with Eddie Bravo, Rodgers expressed his hopes of playing for the Jets for another two, three, or even four years.
Cred: Image by Carmen Mandato, via CNN
"[I've] really been in a good place rehab-wise from the start and [I'm] feeling really good," Rodgers explained. "I'm hopeful I can play two, three or four more years."
Rodgers was traded to New York, along with the Packers' first and fifth-round selections in the 2023 NFL Draft, in exchange for the Jets' first, second and sixth-round selections in the 2023 draft and a conditional second-round selection in 2024.
However, he suffered a ruptured Achilles on just his fourth offensive snap of the season. Though he missed the nearly the entirety of his first season in New York, Rodgers is hopeful to be ready for the start of training camp in June.
Despite having dismissed the idea of joining Brady in “Players Club 45” just two seasons earlier, Rodgers has similarly embraced a strong dedication to a healthy diet, fluid intake, and overall conditioning to optimize his performance on the field. Though the four-time NFL MVP acknowledged his need for “some good fortune” to reach his self-professed newfound milestone, he believes that his improvements will allow him the chance to succeed.
While Rodgers is essentially “master of his domain” in his quest, there are factors which may serve as obstacles in the near future. For starters, the five-time All Pro has recently dealt with his share of health issues. Aside from a broken clavicle — which forced him to miss nine games as the Green Bay Packers starter in 2017 — Rodgers also suffered both a broken thumb on his throwing hand and a rib injury in 2022, his final season with the Packers. Prior to his Achilles injury, Rodgers dealt with a calf injury for much of Jets training camp in 2023.
Additionally, several Jets analysts have speculated that team owner Woody Johnson may be inclined to part ways with general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh, if the team once again fails to qualify for the playoffs. Though it may be hard to envision a scenario in which Rodgers is included in such an organizational purge, his age and recent injury history keeps the option in play.
In the meantime, Rodgers will turn his attention to the upcoming season — his second with the Jets. Should he wish to extend his stay into a third (or beyond,) he and Gang Green must win … and win now.
