Aaron Rodgers, the 39-year-old quarterback for the New York Jets, has suffered a torn left Achilles tendon and is expected to miss the remainder of the season, according to a source familiar with the diagnosis. The injury was confirmed by an MRI on Tuesday. The news was initially reported by NFL Network, confirming the fears of the Jets. Torn Achilles tendons typically require several months of rehabilitation.
Rodgers sustained the injury during the Jets' game against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. On his fourth regular-season snap with the team, he was tackled by Leonard Floyd and immediately appeared to know that he was seriously hurt. He required assistance from trainers to reach the sideline and was then taken to the medical tent for examination. Rodgers was later carted off to the locker room.
Zach Wilson, the Jets' third-year quarterback, replaced Rodgers in the game and will now assume the starting role for the team. Wilson praised Rodgers for his mentorship during the offseason and training camp, stating that it helped him feel more prepared for the next stage of his development.
Rodgers, who spent the first 18 seasons of his career with the Green Bay Packers, was acquired by the Jets in April. His arrival raised expectations for the team, and he agreed to a restructured contract in July that guaranteed him $75 million over this season and the next. However, his injury now puts his playing future in question.
This situation brings back memories of the 1999 season when Vinny Testaverde, coincidentally the Jets' honorary captain on Monday night, suffered a similar injury early in the team's season opener. The Jets had high hopes that year but finished with an 8-8 record and missed the playoffs.
With Rodgers likely out for the season, the Jets will not have to give up a first-round draft pick to the Packers next year, as stipulated in the trade agreement. It will instead remain a second-round pick, which could have become a first-rounder if Rodgers played in 65% of the team's plays this season. In exchange for Rodgers, the Packers received the 13th overall pick, a second-rounder, and a sixth-rounder in this year's draft, along with the No. 15 overall pick and a fifth-rounder from the Jets.