13 September 2023 , 22:04
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has broken his silence after being ruled out for the remainder of the 2023 NFL season with a left Achilles tear.
Rodgers, 39, played just four snaps in Monday's 22-16 overtime win against the Buffalo Bills, before being replaced by backup Zach Brown. "Thank you to every person that has reached out, called, texted, DM’d, connected through a friend, etc," Rodgers said in a heartfelt message on Instagram.
"It has meant a ton to me, and I’ll try and get back to all of you soon. I’m completely heartbroken and moving through all of the emotions, but deeply touched and humbled by the support and love. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin the healing process today. The night is darkest before the dawn. And I shall rise yet again. Proud of my guys, 1-0."
Rodgers' latest injury blow shortly follows the quarterback revealing that he might play on into his mid-40s. But the gruesome Achilles tear may prove tough to come back from considering Rodgers weighed up walking away from American football before leaving the Green Bay Packers for the Jets.
"I think if you would’ve asked me five, six years ago, I would've said probably not," Rodgers said before disaster at the MetLife.
"But with the change that’s happened and some of the changes off the field I’ve made, I definitely see that now as a possibility where before I just didn’t think I’d want to, honestly. I’d love to play a few years here, not sure if that few is two, or three or … I mean, five would kind of get me to 45. But I definitely don’t want to be a one-and-done here."
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Rodgers' injury also reignited the debate over whether NFL matches should be played on real grass and not artificial. Some NFL stadiums will be removing the artificial turf and putting in real grass ahead of the 2026 football World Cup, which is being held in the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Rodgers' former Packers teammate, tackle David Bakhtiari, questioned why grass pitches aren't being used at some grounds in the NFL and started pointing fingers. “Congrats @nfl,” Bakhtiari said on social media. “How many more players have to get hurt on ARTIFICIAL TURF??! You care more about soccer players than us. You plan to remove all artificial turf for the World Cup coming up. So clearly it’s feasible. I’m sick of this..Do better!”
Aaron Rodgers limped off the field after his injury (AP)However, Jets head coach Saleh has pushed back on Bakhtiari's comments. “No. If it was a non-contact injury, I think that’d be something to discuss obviously,” Saleh said. “But I think that was trauma-induced. I do know the players prefer grass and there’s a lot invested in those young men.”
Ahead of the Jets' Week 2 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, Saleh has thrown his support behind Wilson, who was expected to deputise and learn from four-time NFL MVP Rodgers for a season or two. Wilson was the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft but has been in and out of the side due to inconsistency. Whether the Jets bring in another quarterback to play backup to Wilson is undecided.
Against the Bills, the 24-year-old threw for 140 yards and one touchdown. “We are gonna look through some things, but I do want to make it very clear that Zach’s our quarterback,” Saleh said. “We’ve got a lot of faith in Zach, we’re really excited about this opportunity. We’re rolling with Zach and excited for him.”