Aaron Rodgers is not ready to call it a season just yet, despite suffering from a horrifying Achilles tear in Jets opener. The NY quarterback, who is set to earn around $37,500,000 for the 2023 season as per Spotrac, aims to return again for a postseason stint, after going through a surgery to speed up his recovery.
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Experts, at the time of his injury, believed Rodgers would not return any sooner than week 1 of next season. However, defying all odds, Rodgers’ optimism prompted him to aim for a postseason stint. Looks like Rodgers was not kidding when he said he’s fully committed to the Jets’ project.
Aaron Rodgers Opts for an Innovative Surgery in Order to Make an Early Return
At this point, no one can question the commitment of Aaron Rodgers. His optimism is on full display as he looks at a challenging journey in front of him. The veteran QB wants to be back on the field after undergoing a surgery on his torn Achilles. Renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed an unorthodox procedure on Aaron, similar to what he did back in 2013 when Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles.
Apparently, Dr. ElAttrache has installed an internal brace known as an Achilles “speed bridge” on Rodgers’ fully ruptured left Achilles. This procedure is designed to fast-track the standard rehabilitation process and allow Rodgers a speedier return. The innovative approach aims at ensuring full recovery for athletes in as little as four months, from what is typically a season-ending injury.
Update: #Jets QB Aaron Rodgers received a new and innovative surgery on his Achilles, one that could potentially have him back and ready to play by mid-January, per @RapSheet
“Sources say renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache and his team performed a procedure to place… https://t.co/T21JfJE9jV pic.twitter.com/ERVlDBIT7j
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 17, 2023
Reflecting on the same, Rodgers, on “The Pat McAfee Show” said, “There’s a lot of different ideas about the overall length of the rehab. I think what I’d like to say is, just because nobody’s ever done it in a certain way doesn’t mean it’s not possible. I definitely have some odds stacked against me based on age, but I like it. Stack all the odds up against me and see what happens.”
“I knew that Kobe Bryant had done his Achilles and I thought about him on Monday night..
I have a friendship going back many years with Dr. Neal ElAttrache and I texted him from the locker room asking how quickly we could get this done” ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/tg1SqAsc3q
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 15, 2023
If all goes well, Rodgers could potentially be ready to make a comeback in mid-January. This would be right around the start of the playoffs, given the Jets secure a postseason spot.
Despite Sustaining an Awful Injury, Aaron Rodgers is Set to Earn the Big Bucks
One thing that is on everyone’s mind is the financial liability of the New York Jets after Aaron Rodgers got injured just four snaps into his debut. As per Spotrac, Rodgers is on track to earn $37.5 million for the 2023 season. This is despite playing only 75 seconds in the opening game.
His two-year contract with the Jets is reportedly guaranteed. This means that he could pocket $75 million over the next two seasons, even if he doesn’t step foot on the field again. However, things will get better for Aaron quite soon, as the surgery on the QB was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who has treated the likes of Tom Brady, Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Kobe Bryant, and Zack Greinke, to name a few.
#Jets QB Aaron Rodgers had surgery to repair his torn Achilles done by Dr. Neal S. ElAttrache of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in LA. ElAttrache also did Kobe Bryant’s Achilles repair.
Rodgers on IG: pic.twitter.com/lXXOkIubAO— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 15, 2023
For now, the New York Jets would have to work without the NFL legend in order to reach the playoffs and in case Zach Wilson ends up proving his critics wrong, Aaron Rodgers will be further motivated to return to the field during the postseason.