New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is recovering from a torn Achilles and medically cannot play in the NFL this season, was activated from injured reserve for no apparent reason whatsoever on Wednesday.
In what’s become one of the silliest ongoing sagas of the season, Rodgers has been adamant that he can pull off the scientifically improbable and actually recover from an Achilles tear in-season. He finally admitted this week he won’t be back, but not without months of messaging the opposite.
Anyone with a vague understanding of the human body and its healing process would tell you that’s a bit rich, but Rodgers kept hopes alive to make sure we would all continue to reluctantly pay attention to him through his recovery.
There was no chance in Meadowlands that Rodgers could play again this season unless he wanted to, more likely than not, injure himself again.
However, the Jets activating Rodgers off IR for no actual playing time came with a cost: fullback Nick Bawden was waived as part of the transaction.
We have activated QB Aaron Rodgers.
We have released FB Nick Bawden.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 20, 2023
Again, Rodgers will not play football on an NFL field this season, and Bawden is now out of a job unless he gets claimed off waivers or signs with the Jets practice squad (which would involve someone else getting let go unless they go on practice squad injured reserve).
NFL fans lamented poor Bawden being the odd man out in this very odd activation for an attention-seeking player who will basically do the same things he was already doing before he was activated off of IR.
Imagine losing your roster spot for a guy who’s not playing this year https://t.co/uVbB7iSQJf
— Zach Brook (@ZBrook) December 20, 2023
“Hey Nick, we’d rather our favorite grifter get us more clicks on social media for the next couple of months, Merry early Christmas.” https://t.co/mnbmgMdHTU
— John Lund (@lundinbridge) December 20, 2023
Nick Bawden cracks the top 10 in pro bowl voting, proceeds to get cut immediately https://t.co/ooMatqdGbd
— Nooner (@noonernation) December 20, 2023
https://t.co/ToHHC39tks pic.twitter.com/HsdO29vVVF
— BenchwarmerBran (@BenchwarmerBran) December 20, 2023
Imagine being Nick Bawden.
You got cut simply so that Aaron Rodgers can walk on the field. Not play. WALK. https://t.co/xCLh4nNsxA
— Some Guy Named Josh (@Producer_Josh) December 20, 2023
So the Jets are cutting a player who can make an impact so Aaron Rodgers can be listed as out on the injury report. https://t.co/ypc8PFLlm2
— John Griff (@jlgriff18) December 20, 2023
honestly feel bad for Bawden. FB is already a tough gig in the league. now he loses his job for a guy that isn't playing. https://t.co/2bQH2jgXwv
— QB NONE (@jets_headache) December 20, 2023
So he’s not gonna play but he’s gonna take the spot of someone who would play? Rodgers is all about the attention https://t.co/xyFksDUlM2
— Kyle Baker (@KyleMBaker19) December 20, 2023
This is stupid. There are limits to roster gymnastics. The Jets deserved for Bawden to be picked up 😤 https://t.co/Et0YJB5r21
— José Carlos Baptista (@JoseCMBaptista) December 20, 2023
Bawden?! For real. Why https://t.co/dQI3tKQzlg
— Fred (@hellzangel148) December 20, 2023
Sorry you lost your job Nick. What a joke! https://t.co/4ql9JPXjki
— Patrick Lynch (@BigPat31) December 20, 2023
The New York ‘Click Baits’ https://t.co/GhkfAjcGCv
— Greg Toohey (@gregtoohey) December 20, 2023
