After the backlash on social media after the Jets signed Aaron Rodgers to the active roster last week, the quarterback finally decided to set the record straight.
During his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, Rodgers said he asked the Jets to place him back on injured reserve after both teams decided he would not play again this season.
The Jets ultimately decided to add Rodgers to the 53-man roster so he could continue his rehab and practice with the team. Because of this, Jets fullback Nick Bawden was released before later being added to the team's practice squad.
“I thought there would be a conversation about it,” Rodgers said. “The story is simple. We lost the previous week and I had my sights set on the 24th comeback again. So I assumed I would go on IR.
“I asked to be put on IR because there was a conversation: 'Do you want to practice?' And I said, not at the expense of circumcision. I know how this works and I didn't feel like I needed to practice to continue my rehab. I could do things in the field on the side. But obviously I'm being outvoted there. You know, it is what it is.”
Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon on four offensive plays in the season opener against the Bills on September 11th. Two days later, he underwent “SpeedBridge” surgery, during which an internal support was implanted in his Achilles tendon.
Rodgers was cleared for some but not all football activity and the Jets opened his 21-day practice window on November 29. He had always targeted December 24th against the Commanders as a possible return date. But the four-time MVP also said that it “wouldn’t make a lot of sense” to return at less than 100% if the Jets had no chance of making the playoffs.
Miami defeated the Jets 30-0 on December 17, eliminating them from postseason contention. The Jets then had just three days to either promote Rodgers to the 53-man roster or he would return to injured reserve. The latter would have forced him to miss the rest of the season.
When Rodgers was placed on injured reserve, he was unable to practice with the team.
Many fans and even various media outlets criticized the Jets and their roster after he was added to the 53-man roster.
“Joe [Douglas] and I will always do what we believe is best for the organization and having him around is a plus,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said. “Being on the practice field, he loves the practice field.
“Having him out there, his juice, his energy. Shoot, even on the Friday before the Washington game, all the scout team reps and all the trash talk with the defense, and the defense bought into it and it was just a positive outcome for us.”
After adding Rodgers to the active roster, the Jets waived Bawden. After he went unclaimed by another team, the Jets placed Bawden on the practice squad because they could then sign him for a maximum of three games.
Bawden was named from the practice squad for Sunday's 30-28 win over the Commanders. However, he was inactive for the game.
“It was an interesting situation,” Rodgers said. “I called Nick right away and just said, 'Hey, I just hope you know this isn't coming from me.' I asked them to put me on IR.' But he actually said, “Hey, look, I can get my money.” I'm fine. Do not worry about me.' If he had been healthy, he would have improved last week, but I'm sure he'll be fine this week.”