Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was overheard on the field on Monday night talking to Chargers safety Derwin James about his recovery from his torn right Achilles tendon following New York’s loss to Los Angeles on Monday night.
In the video, which circulated online after the game, Rodgers could be overheard telling James that he’ll be ready to go in “a few weeks.”
But during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, Rodgers clarified his comment to James, indicating he wasn’t aware he was being recorded and his remarks were “tongue in cheek.”
“I didn’t realize that was gonna get caught there. Obviously that was said with a little tongue in cheek there,” Rodgers said of his conversation with James.
"I have a lot of faith in our guys and I feel like we're gonna be in the mix..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 7, 2023
I'm feeling a lot more strength in the Achilles but we're a long way off from me being under center..
I like where I'm at though and I'm ahead of schedule" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/dPRuGitUeb
“It’d be nice to be able to be back in a couple weeks. That’s probably not anywhere near a realistic timeline. A couple could be a few, could be a lot. It’s more of a phrase that didn’t have a specific timetable,” Rodgers added. “I said it smiling, joking … I joked that it’d be a few weeks, but obviously it’s going to be more than a couple weeks.”
Rodgers further clarified his vague timeline, stating that it would be at least “a few fortnights” before he’d realistically be able to return. He underwent surgery to repair the ruptured tendon less than eight weeks ago.
Regarding the Jets’ potential to reach the playoffs in his absence and its impact on his desire to return quickly, Rodgers said it was a “very small part” of his thought process when it comes to his overall recovery.
"I have a lot of faith in our guys and I feel like we're gonna be in the mix..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 7, 2023
I'm feeling a lot more strength in the Achilles but we're a long way off from me being under center..
I like where I'm at though and I'm ahead of schedule" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/dPRuGitUeb
“I’m feeling a lot more strength in the Achilles, but we’re a long way off from being able to be under center. … It’s gonna be a process, but I like where I’m at. Obviously ahead of schedule,” added Rodgers.
The Jets (4-4) will take the field in Week 10 in a prime-time clash against the Raiders (4-5) in Las Vegas. With Rodgers still on the mend, Zach Wilson figures to draw his eighth start of the season, despite a lackluster showing on Sunday against the Chargers.
