The potential return of Aaron Rodgers to the Jets’ lineup has been a storyline since his New York debut lasted four offensive snaps in Week 1. He has maintained an aggressive rehab schedule since tearing his Achilles, however, and another milestone in that process in within reach. 
Rodgers in on track to receive medical clearance to return to play in the coming days, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The four-time MVP returned to practice late last month, opening his 21-day activation window. The Jets must bring him off injured reserve by Wednesday to avoid having him revert to season-ending IR, though it very much remains to be seen which direction team and player will take.
As Schefter and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network note, Rodgers and the Jets will discuss their course of action given the fact he is far from 100% healthy and New York’s bleak playoff chances. Sitting at 5-8 to begin the day, the team faced a steep uphill climb to remain in touch of the postseason as of Week 15. The Jets could be eliminated from the playoffs today depending on how their game and others in the AFC shake out. Knowing the slim chances of a wild-card berth, it is currently unlikely Rodgers takes the field before September 2024.
The Jets’ December 24 matchup against the Commanders has been known as Rodgers’ targeted return date, but both reports confirm it would be unlikely he would be in the lineup at that point even if he is cleared. The 40-year-old has yet to fully simulate a game environment in practice, though head coach Robert Saleh has expressed a sense of being impressed by his mobility when on the field. As things currently stand, Zach Wilson is in line to remain New York’s starter to close out the season after (once again) being placed back atop the depth chart.
Given the injuries suffered by Rodgers (who underwent a speed bridge procedure to rapidly accelerate the healing process) and a number of other key offensive players, the Jets are expected to treat 2023 as a write-off. No major staff changes are expected as a result, and any tweaks on that front, along with roster moves, will likely be made with Rodgers in mind. The future Hall of Famer is essentially on the books through 2024 as a result of the revised pact he agreed to in the offseason. That contract calls for over $38MM in compensation next year, which remains the most probable point at which he will be available for the Jets.
If he played this year, it woukd be foolish
No major staff changes are expected? They’re honestly going to roll with Saleh next season? Laughable
Not really Saleh’s fault IMO. His defense is good and was good last year as well. Guys like OC Hackett, Lazard, and Cobb were almost definitely forced on him as a package deal with Rodgers, and they all became useless once Rodgers got injured.
Only time Saleh has had a real NFL QB was the first few plays of this season.
“Zach Wilson in line to remain the starter rest of the season”?….wasn’t he just again benched for Siemian half way thru today’s game?
He got a concussion
oh gotcha, didn’t realize that
Don’t expect Rodgers to be activated since the Jets were eliminated from contention with their shutout loss at Miami.
Zach Wilson was not benched, he came out of the Miami game before halftime with a concussion. Expect Siemian to start the rest of the way should Wilson not clear concussion protocol.