It’s no secret that Aaron Rodgers is having one of the toughest seasons of his career. Despite recovering from the Achilles injury that sidelined him last year, the New York Jets quarterback is still not playing at 100%, casting doubt on the team’s chances of making the playoffs.
Rodgers joined the Jets last season with the mission of leading them back to the postseason. However, his campaign was cut short by an Achilles tear in the first game of 2023. This year, he returned with high hopes of ending the franchise’s 13-year playoff drought.
But seven games into the 2024 season, Rodgers’ stats tell a disappointing story. He has completed just 158 passes out of 256 attempts for 1,663 yards, with 10 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. At 2-5, the Jets are struggling, leaving fans and analysts frustrated.
Recently, analyst Mike Florio suggested that Rodgers’ poor performance might be due to more than just bad luck or rust-it could be the inevitable effects of age.
Is Rodgers too old to keep up?
In a recent segment on Pro Football Talk, Florio discussed Rodgers’ health, pointing out that multiple nagging injuries are likely related to his age. Florio specifically referenced an ankle injury Rodgers sustained a couple of weeks ago and added that it wasn’t the only issue plaguing the quarterback.
“[Jets’ head coach] Jeff Ulbrich, a couple of weeks ago, when Aaron Rodgers had the ankle injury, mentioned that there was some hamstring involvement as well,” Florio explained. “There’s also a knee that keeps swelling up. Rodgers talked about that yesterday. Welcome to 40.”
However, some argue that Rodgers’ struggles aren’t solely due to age. The Jets’ offensive line has been inconsistent, leaving Rodgers exposed, while the receivers have struggled to create separation from defenders-factors that have weighed heavily on the team’s performance.
What’s next for the Jets?
In Week 8, the Jets face the struggling New England Patriots. Head coach Jerod Mayo’s team comes in with a 1-6 record. On paper, it seems like the perfect opportunity for Rodgers to regain his rhythm and turn the season around.
But divisional games are always tricky, with rivalries bringing unexpected intensity and upsets. If Rodgers hopes to pull off a miraculous playoff push, it all starts with a win in this crucial matchup.
