Why Aaron?

After hinting at returning during the 2023 season since the devastating injury occurred four offensive plays into the season, Aaron Rodgers and the Jets are making good on what was thought to be a joke back in September when he tore his Achilles.

Robert Saleh announced that the Jets have opened the 21-day practice window for the 39-year-old quarterback. This means Rodgers can return to practice immediately and the Jets have 21 days to remove him from IR, or he will be out for the remainder of the year.

A return this season would be unprecedented. And that’s not hyperbole. That’s a fact. Which means there's no historical guidance on the chance of reinjury and other potential issues. If Rodgers plans to be back in New York next season, and all indications are that he is, then the Jets' priority should be making sure he's as healthy as possible by the time the 2024 season starts.

But most indications are that if Rodgers wants to play and the doctors clear him, he will play. “Aaron is not going to do anything that puts him in harm’s way,” Robert Saleh said in his Wednesday press conference. Saleh went on to say Rodgers is cleared for "functional football activity”. Not necessarily to play football or play in a football game.

Why, Aaron? Why risk anything for this team this season? We all know the answer at this point. Ego. Rodgers has been told he can’t return this year by so many people that he is returning for no reason other than to prove to everyone that he can.

His ego is the reason he is willing to wade into uncharted waters and return from an injury long before he should return. His ego is also the reason he is one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game. His ego is one of the reasons why he is a New York Jet right now and not a Green Bay Packer. His ego is the thing that drives him to be great.

“The true narrative is he’s old-school in the sense that he is driven. Is there a motivation to be the first ever to do it? Sure. That’s okay, that’s his why. It’s a mentality that I think young guys should be able to (gravitate) to,” Saleh said. "He loves this organization, he wants to be with his teammates, he wants to be here. I think it’s a testament to who he is as a human and yeah obviously there is a little bit of that drive that he wants to prove that it can be done faster than anyone’s ever done it before – that’s okay. That’s part of his mental makeup."

“I think he still runs with a chip on his shoulder and that’s the way he lives his life where he always wants to prove people wrong in terms of doubting him. And he’s a special human and I think his actions are showing how much he appreciates this organization and everything around it.”

While initially against the idea of Rodgers returning, I can honestly say I’m all for it now. Let the man be who he is. You went all in on Rodgers, you can’t decide now to reign him in.

And don’t get it wrong. This isn’t about this season. This isn’t about the playoffs. This isn’t about draft position. Some of you might be screaming “Then why? how does it help the Jets to have Rodgers return?”

Imagine you are a young player on that team. Here is your team leader who vowed to return from an injury quicker than anyone ever has even at 39-years-old. Everyone doubted him, including people in your own organization.  The media doubted him.  Fans doubted him.  And then he does it. 

Now, will you believe him when he says he is going to take this team to new heights next year?  Will you believe him when he tells you that you need to work a little bit harder?  Will you believe him when he says "I got this" in a two-minute drill?  Will you believe him when he calls to tell you to join the Jets because they are building something special?

You bet your ass you will.

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