In a significant turn of events, Aaron Rodgers, who was traded to the New York Jets from the Green Bay Packers, suffered a torn left Achilles in just his fourth snap as a Jets quarterback during a game against the Buffalo Bills. This injury was confirmed by an MRI, and it will force him to miss the remainder of the 2023 NFL season. Rodgers was placed on injured reserve, and it was confirmed that he would need season-ending surgery.
This injury is a devastating blow for both Rodgers and the Jets, as there were high hopes for a renaissance season for the franchise. Zach Wilson, the 2021 NFL Draft No. 2 overall pick, will now be the starting quarterback for the Jets for the rest of the season. The loss of Rodgers overshadowed the Jets’ dramatic overtime win on Monday night.
The Jets had acquired Rodgers in a massive offseason trade with the Green Bay Packers, and the Packers will now receive a second-round pick next year due to Rodgers’ season-ending injury. The trade was initially seen as a move to end the Jets’ playoff drought, but now the team will have to rely on Wilson.
As for Rodgers’ contract with the Jets, he signed a new two-year, $75 million deal with the team on August 1. Despite the injury, his contract remains unchanged for this season and the next, with $75 million fully guaranteed. The final year of the contract in 2025 is a bonus option with no guaranteed money.
Aaron Rodgers has earned a substantial amount throughout his NFL career, making him one of the highest-earning players in NFL history.
The Jets, with available cap space, will likely need to sign a veteran quarterback to support Zach Wilson in Rodgers’ absence.
The future for both the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers remains uncertain beyond this season, as his injury has dramatically altered the course of the 2023 NFL season for both him and the Jets.