The NFL announced on Tuesday that quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets had torn his Achilles tendon, a serious injury that would keep him out of action through the remainder of 2023 and maybe put an end to his career.
Following the Jets’ overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, an MRI confirmed the injury, according to both the NFL Network and Pro Football Talk.
Not the way any of us wanted it to go, but we know the commitment you've made to this team will continue to impact us moving forward.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 12, 2023
Get well soon, @AaronRodgers12. pic.twitter.com/cKcYzjh4BZ
The future Hall of Fame quarterback, whose signing by the Jets was among the most talked-about offseason moves in sports, was assisted off the field following a sack by Leonard Floyd of the Bills.
Prior to joining the Jets, Rodgers, who will turn 40 later this year, had played his entire career with the Green Bay Packers. He joined the team with the hopes of reviving it after seven straight losing seasons.
Coach Robert Saleh of the Jets appeared unsteady as he spoke to reporters late on Monday night after New York’s 22-16 overtime triumph even before news of the MRI broke on Tuesday.
Saleh added, “I ache for Aaron and how much he’s committed to all of this.
On the four plays he took against the Bills on Monday, Rodgers handed the ball off to running back Breece Hall for a 26-yard gain, attempted an incomplete pass, and drew a 5-yard penalty from Buffalo before being sacked by Floyd.
With just one attempt, no completions, no yards, and a QB rating of 39.6, his season is likely to conclude with such pitiful statistics.
With HBO’s popular reality show “Hard Knocks” tracking Gang Green’s preseason practice, Rodgers’ hiring by the Jets had the New York crowd ecstatic.
The Jets will now look to former starter Zach Wilson as the 2011 Super Bowl champion and four-time NFL MVP winner is out injured.
The first-round draft pick performed admirably enough on Monday night to support the Jets’ strong special teams and superior defense, which did the bulk of the work in defeating Buffalo, one of the early Super Bowl favorites.