Opinions abound regarding Aaron Rodgers’s potential return from his Achilles injury, and the hosts of ESPN’s First Take are no exception.
Stephen A. Smith shared his impassioned perspective on Friday, criticizing Rodgers for considering a comeback so swiftly after tearing his Achilles in Week 1 against the Bills. Despite turning 40 on Saturday, Rodgers participated in practice for the first time since the injury on Wednesday, marking a remarkably rapid recovery just 11 weeks after surgery.
RELATED: Aaron Rodgers Has Zero Cares About Potentially Reinjuring Achilles in His Return
While many marvel at Rodgers’s quick return, concerns linger in the league about the wisdom of exposing him to potential re-injury on the field.
Smith did not mince words, labeling Rodgers’s possible comeback as “stupid.” He questioned the purpose of such a risk, especially for the New York Jets, who have lost four consecutive games and currently hold a 4-7 record. Smith urged Rodgers to take a break, emphasizing the team’s lackluster season and the potential consequences of a rushed return.
“The New York Jets lost four straight. They’re 4—7. We’re playing for nothing. What are we doing? Take your a– home. Go on The Pat McAfee Show every Tuesday. Kick your feet up. Relax… You make one wrong move, it’s your Achilles, and something else could happen to you, and for what? What purpose does it serve? It’s a stupid thing to do. Sit your a– home.”
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky suggested that Rodgers might want to return this season to “check the box” and make history in 2023. He pointed out that the quickest recovery from an Achilles tear is currently held by Cam Akers, who returned in less than six months.
However, Smith vehemently disagreed with Orlovsky, arguing that Rodgers has nothing left to prove. He highlighted Rodgers’s Super Bowl championship, his assured place in the future Hall of Fame, and his status as one of the greatest quarterbacks in history.
The Jets, currently in third place in the AFC East with a 4-7 record, are gearing up for their next matchup against the Falcons at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. Rodgers faces a pivotal decision that could have significant implications for his career moving forward.
