Aaron Rodgers is on the verge of ticking off a major 2024 milestone (Image: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The New York Jets won’t savour 2024 as a year of success, but Aaron Rodgers at least has cause to celebrate heading into the New Year. After missing almost his entire debut year at MetLife Stadium, the 41-year-old was able to return to the field and contribute heavily to the franchise’s fortunes.
icon Rodgers’ expectations for 2024 were modest as he recovered from a serious Achilles injury suffered four snaps into the 2023 campaign. The Jets are set to conclude their regular season against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, and if Rodgers plays, he will have hit at least one of his New Year’s resolutions of playing in every game.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show in early December, Rodgers said: “We get paid for 17 weeks. Not 10, not 11, not five. One of my goals this year coming back from the Achilles was to play all 17 games, plus whatever play-off games we played in. Obviously, that hasn’t been the case this year, but we still got five games left, and I would love to be out there battling with the guys.”
The Jets are 4-12 ahead of their trip to the Hard Rock Stadium and have already been ruled out of the post-season. This is a step down from the 7-10 record achieved last season with Zach Wilson and Trevor Siemian as quarterbacks.
Rodgers was taken out of Sunday’s 40-14 annihilation at the hands of close rival Buffalo, where a at the QB’s feeble attempts to dodge an obvious penalty. However, replacement Tyrod Taylor managed to do what he couldn’t and clinch two consolation touchdowns in the game’s final phases.
Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich will hope that extra respite can give Rodgers added impetus to finish this season on a high. The Dolphins sit second in the AFC East with an 8-8 record and still harbour slim hopes of a playoff berth, but Rodgers has one last chance to dampen their spirits while injecting some much-needed hope into the Jets for 2025.
Rodgers was hauled off during last weekend’s disastrous loss to the Buffalo Bills (Image: Getty)
At the very least, completing his first 17-game schedule since leaving Green Bay is a bonus for the former MVP. So, even though it may not have been a memorable season for all the right reasons, Rodgers can find comfort in the fact he was at least available across the campaign.
The seasoned star has hinted he’s of his Jets contract in 2025. However, his improved fitness compared to last season will be viewed as a significant move in the right direction concerning any hopes of seeing him stick around in New Jersey.