It was previously reported that New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was dealing with injuries to both of his knees before he was hobbled by a low ankle sprain and a hamstring issue during the club’s Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings back on Oct. 6.
For a piece published on Wednesday, Jets insider Connor Hughes of SNY revealed at least one of those setbacks was a bigger deal than outsiders realized at the time.
“The hamstring, specifically, was an issue,” Hughes explained. “One team source said the degree of the strain was the most significant you can have with it still being attached to the bone. Rodgers battled through to start every game, but it was clear he couldn’t move like himself for a large portion of the season.”
Numerous analysts and critics noted before Rodgers turned 41 years old in early December that he spent much of the season playing like a veteran who didn’t “want to get hit anymore” coming off the torn Achilles he suffered in September 2023. While with the Green Bay Packers during the 2022 campaign, he dealt with a broken thumb on his throwing hand before he went down with a rib injury in Week 12.
Rodgers showed signs in New York’s 32-20 Week 18 win over the Miami Dolphins that he could still make plays as an NFL starter when he completed 23-of-36 passes for 274 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Nevertheless, multiple reports have said that Jets owner Woody Johnson will part ways with Rodgers in March as part of a franchise reset that will include the club eventually having a new general manager and new head coach.
“Rodgers, in various media appearances in recent weeks, poked Johnson for various issues with the Jets this year. That did not resonate well,” Hughes added.
It remains unclear if Rodgers will retire or look to play for any team later this year. With that said, Hughes’ update suggests somebody wants it known the future Hall of Famer wasn’t himself this past fall and could lead a club to victories throughout the 2025 season if he’s healthy.
Per Pro Football Reference, Rodgers ended Week 18 ranked 29th in the league among qualified players with a 48.2 adjusted QBR, tied for 20th with a 90.5 passer rating and tied for seventh with 28 touchdowns through the air for the season. According to ESPN stats, the 5-12 Jets finished the campaign 24th in offensive yards gained per game (310.3).
