Aaron Rodgers Says It's 'Unrealistic' That He'll Play for New York Jets This Season but Is Likely Back in 2024

The Jets quarterback suffered a season-ending tear to his Achilles during his debut with the team in September

Aaron Rodgers revealed that he won't make a return to the football field with the New York Jets this season after the star quarterback suffered a complete tear to his left Achilles in the first game of the season.

Rodgers, 40, made the announcement on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, and confirmed that he has "been progressing steadily" while rehabbing the injury.

Still, Rodgers said it was ultimately "unrealistic" to think he'd be "at 100 percent to be medically cleared at any point during the regular season."

With just a handful of games left to play before the postseason — which the Jets won't make this year — Rodgers estimates he will have just missed the regular season by the time he's "at 100 percent" physically. "I do feel like in the next 3 or 4 weeks, it would be possible to get to 100 percent," he said.

Rodgers, who only played a handful of minutes with the New York team before suffering the tear, was sacked by Buffalo Bills linebacker Leonard Floyd near the beginning of the first quarter of their game on Sept. 11.

The Jets quarterback called into McAfee's show from the team's practice facility on Tuesday, and shared that he's been able to participate in some "7 on 7" work with his teammates.

Related: Aaron Rodgers at Jets Game for First Time Since Season-Ending Injury, Chats with Travis Kelce & Patrick Mahomes

Rodgers said he would "be pushing to play" with the team, "if I was at 100 percent today."

With no demanding timetable for him to return to play now that the NFL is close to their offseason, Rodgers said he and the Jets "can be as smart as we can" with monitoring his physical health while they prepare for next season.

McAfee asked Rodgers if the next season would be his last, as the quarterback has hinted that he's been considering retirement for some time.

"I don't think so," Rodgers revealed, adding that moving from Green Bay to New York has given him "a renewed passion" for the sport.

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After being traded by the Packers in April, the four-time NFL MVP signed a two-year, $75 million fully-guaranteed contract with the Jets that runs through the 2024 season in July.

"I’m completely heartbroken and moving through all of the emotions, but deeply touched and humbled by the support and love," Rodgers wrote in a post on Instagram after he was injured. "Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin the healing process today."

Rodgers underwent surgery just days later and thanked his fans and friends for the support in a post on Instagram.

"Surgery went great yesterday," he captioned an image of himself smiling and laying on a hospital bed. "Thank you for all the love and prayers and support."

In the comment section, Rodgers received encouragement from his followers, including Aaron Paul, who wrote, "Sending love my friend! Rest up.❤️." Jeremy Renner left a comment that read, "Hang in there my friend !!!"

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