Aaron Rodgers has reportedly refused to undergo scans to determine the severity of several injuries that have been plaguing him during what has turned into a nightmare season for the New York Jets. The 40-year-old quarterback has struggled to find his rhythm in his first full season with the Jets after last year’s campaign ended prematurely just four snaps into the season due to a torn Achilles suffered against the Buffalo Bills.
Expectations were high for Rodgers to lead the team back to prominence, but the journey has been far from smooth, with injuries once again becoming a central storyline.
According to a report on NFL.com, Rodgers has actively tried to conceal the extent of his injuries to avoid any limitations on his playing time. The veteran quarterback is apparently so determined to stay on the field that he has refused to have scans, opting instead to play through the pain rather than learn the full extent of the damage. This approach seems to reflect Rodgers’ belief that knowing the severity of his injuries could force him to sit out, something he is clearly unwilling to consider.
The report details several injuries that Rodgers has sustained during the season. On September 29, during the Jets’ loss to the Denver Broncos, Rodgers suffered a hamstring injury. Despite the discomfort, Rodgers assured his teammates and coaches that it was not a significant issue and continued to play through it.
The following week, during the Jets’ trip to London to face the Minnesota Vikings, Rodgers sustained a low ankle sprain. Again, he downplayed the injury, choosing to fight through it rather than take time off for recovery.
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The Jets are currently on a bye week, providing Rodgers with a much-needed opportunity to rest and recover before the final stretch of the season. However, despite the apparent need for healing, there has been no indication that Rodgers will use this time to undergo any scans or further evaluate his injuries.
The refusal to be scanned has raised questions, but there is no suggestion that it is linked to his interest in alternative medicine or holistic practices.
Rodgers has made headlines in the past for his unconventional health choices, including his outspoken anti-vaccine stance and his openness about using the hallucinogenic drug ayahuasca during the offseason.
Despite these choices, it seems his reluctance to undergo scans is more about his desire to keep playing and less about his affinity for alternative treatments.
With a 3-8 record, the Jets’ hopes of making the playoffs are hanging by a thread. The team has faced multiple setbacks, and Rodgers’ future in New York beyond this season remains uncertain. The season has already seen major upheaval, with head coach Robert Saleh being fired and general manager Joe Douglas also let go.
Reports have suggested that Rodgers intends to continue playing in the NFL beyond this season but may be looking to do so with a different team. It appears that his time with the Jets could come to an end after just two seasons.
Adding to the uncertainty, a report from earlier this week indicated that Jets owner Woody Johnson considered benching Rodgers following a dismal Week 4 home loss to the Denver Broncos—the same game in which Rodgers reportedly injured his hamstring. The relationship between Rodgers and the Jets appears to be fraying, and both parties may be considering a fresh start once the season concludes.
Despite the struggles, the Jets have made considerable efforts to build a roster around Rodgers, signing several of his former teammates, including Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Malik Taylor.
These moves were intended to create a comfortable environment for Rodgers and give the offense a boost. However, the results have been far from what the team had hoped for, and now the possibility of parting ways is growing stronger.
If the Jets decide to move on from Rodgers, the financial impact on the team would be minimal. Of the $38 million that Rodgers is set to be owed next season, $35 million is a roster bonus that is not guaranteed and must be exercised before the 2025 season.
This means that the Jets could release Rodgers without incurring significant financial penalties, giving them flexibility as they look to the future.
For now, however, both Rodgers and the Jets are focused on trying to salvage what remains of this season. With the bye week offering a brief respite, Rodgers will have some time to recuperate before the team returns to action next Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium.
The game will be crucial for the Jets as they attempt to keep their slim postseason hopes alive. Whether Rodgers can overcome his injuries and lead the team to a late-season resurgence remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the partnership between the quarterback and the franchise is under immense pressure, and the final six games could determine the future for both.
As the Jets head into the latter part of the season, the focus will be on how Rodgers and the team respond to the challenges they have faced.
The outcome could shape the direction of both the franchise and Rodgers’ career, as the veteran quarterback seeks to prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level in the NFL.
