Despite the New York Jets’ struggles and Aaron Rodgers’ injuries, the veteran quarterback will “absolutely” start against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich confirmed on Monday, according to REUTERS. Coming off the team’s bye week, Rodgers appears to be in better shape than he has been in weeks, and the Jets have no plans to sideline him for the remainder of the season.
“All I can say — and you’d have to ask Aaron if he’s fully healthy — but he’s better off today than he’s been as of late,” Ulbrich said, via ESPN. “So he’s definitely feeling healthier than he has for probably the past month. And a healthy Aaron Rodgers is an Aaron Rodgers we all love. So I’m excited about what that looks like.”
Rodgers, 40, has faced a challenging season marked by injuries and team struggles. Having already battled a knee injury, a “significant” hamstring strain, and a low ankle sprain, he has been described as “banged up.” Yet Rodgers has continued to play through these issues. Reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggested that Rodgers has resisted medical scans to avoid revealing the severity of his injuries, potentially fearing he might be forced to sit out. Ulbrich, however, denied any knowledge of these claims.
“News to me,” Ulbrich said when asked about the report.
Rodgers’ first full season with the Jets has been far from ideal. The team, now in a full rebuild after firing both their head coach and general manager, has a dismal 3-8 record and has lost seven of their last eight games. Rodgers has thrown for 2,442 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions this year. This follows his unfortunate Achilles injury last season, sustained just four plays into his debut game with the organization.
As the Jets face a near-certain playoff miss, questions about Rodgers’ future with the team remain. For now, however, he is slated to take the field Sunday at MetLife Stadium, showcasing his resilience and commitment despite the challenging circumstances.
While the Jets’ long-term plans and Rodgers’ trajectory remain uncertain, Ulbrich and the organization are hopeful that a healthier Rodgers can provide a spark. Whether that translates to immediate success or signals the start of a new chapter for the franchise is still unclear.