Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer September 13, 2023, 6:34 PM ET5 minutes read
Saleh: I would be “shocked” if Aaron Rodgers retired
Jets coach Robert Saleh says he doesn’t expect Aaron Rodgers to retire following his season-ending injury on Monday.
FLORHAM PARK, NJ – New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he was down but did not appear to be out in his first public comments since suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.
“I am completely heartbroken and going through all the emotions but am deeply touched and humbled by the support and love,” Rodgers wrote in a post on his Instagram page on Wednesday. “Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin the healing process today.
“The night is darkest before the dawn. And I will rise again.”
Rodgers’ comments came shortly after Jets coach Robert Saleh and owner Woody Johnson indicated they expected the four-time MVP to return in 2024.
“I would be shocked if he acted like that,” Saleh told reporters.
The 39-year-old quarterback, the NFL’s oldest player, will undergo several months of grueling rehab after tearing his left Achilles tendon on his fourth snap of the season in Monday night’s win over the Buffalo Bills.
Saleh said he hasn’t discussed the future with him, adding that Rodgers is “working through a whole lot of headspace things that he has to deal with and that will be the last thing I talk to him about.”
Before the injury, Rodgers had mentioned several times that his goal was to play for the Jets for several years. He is signed through 2025 and is scheduled to receive $38 million in guarantees in 2024.
About three hours before Rodgers’ post, Johnson weighed in on social media, saying, “The story isn’t over yet. Come back strong @AaronRodgers12.” In Green Bay, Packers coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Jordan Love said they texted Rodgers shortly after his injury.
“I would bet he wouldn’t have a problem coming back from that. I really believe in it. I know the type of worker he is and so it will just be a decision whether he wants to continue playing or not,” LaFleur said.
Love said he was excited to see Rodgers play and that “it sucks that this is happening to him in the first series. I feel for him, I know he’ll bounce back, and he’ll do his thing in recovery, and he’ll come back stronger.
Meanwhile, the Jets prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys (1-0) with Zach Wilson as the starter and Tim Boyle as the backup. Saleh said they don’t feel any urgency to add another quarterback, even though Wilson and Boyle are the only two in the building. Boyle will be brought off the practice squad for Sunday’s away game.
At some point, the Jets hope Rodgers returns to the facility to help behind the scenes. Rodgers and Wilson have developed a close relationship in recent months, and coaches say that has helped Wilson – the No. 2 pick in 2021 – improve his game.
“I think that’s very important,” Saleh said of Rodgers on the team. “It’s important for him. For him, I think it’s mental health and healing. I think this is very important. But his presence, his words. … I said he’s both a football coach and a player. “Easy to have.” His presence, his thoughts, his words and his leadership, that’s what everyone would want.”
Wilson will not have Rodgers available as a tutor for the time being. The Jets are trying to rally around the quarterback who was benched twice last season and was demoted to third string at the end of the year.
When several players were asked about their confidence in Wilson, they said the quarterback has shown growth in his third year, citing Rodgers as the main reason. They noticed a difference in Wilson’s confidence.
“He’s got that swagger,” center Connor McGovern said. “When he came in he had a nice swagger about him. I think he lost his temper a little and she’s back. She’s back and better than ever.”
Wilson, 8-14 as a starter, replaced Rodgers on the first series of the game. He struggled in the first half and threw a costly interception, but he improved in the second half and threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson in a 22-16 overtime win. He finished the game 14-for-21 for 140 yards.
“The past is the past and from what I see, Zach is our guy,” running back Dalvin Cook said. “We gotta rock with him.”
The Jets are exploring quarterback options for depth purposes, but Saleh said they are in no rush because they want the right scheme and locker room.
Meanwhile, Rodgers’ former coach with the Packers, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, said he reached out to his old quarterback.
“I love him immensely,” McCarthy said. “That is hard. I know he was really looking forward to this chapter of his life and I was looking forward to seeing him this weekend… You can see how valuable these opportunities are. Every game is a very special opportunity to compete in this league. So yeah, I think we all feel for him personally right now.”
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky and Todd Archer contributed to this report.