Aaron Rodgers Player Profile

Rodgers' Week 1 Achilles injury in 2023 at least spared him from the 64-sack barrage that the likes of Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle endured in his stead over the rest of the season, and the future Hall of Fame signal-caller should also have a good chance of avoiding that fate in 2024. Smith is the third offensive lineman New York has already added in free agency, although he is 33 years old and also has missed 37 games over the last four seasons due to injury.

Head coach Robert Saleh reportedly had to overrule Rodgers, who wasn't happy about not getting a chance to practice against another team. However, Saleh explained he was "forward-thinking" in his decision, not wanting to take any chances with his franchise quarterback after Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury four plays into his Jets debut in Week 1 of the 2023 campaign. The legendary signal-caller won't play in either of New York's first two preseason games either, although there's a chance he sees some action in the exhibition finale versus the Giants.

Coach Robert Saleh spoke to the media Tuesday and said he hasn't made any final decisions about Rodgers' status. If the quarterback does appear during the exhibition season, it would come in the third game against the Giants. While most starting quarterbacks are unlikely to appear until Week 1 of the regular season, Rodgers' situation is different because he missed nearly the entire 2023 campaign, so perhaps the Jets will want to briefly get him some game action to help shake off the rust.

Rodgers will be a full year removed from the injury by the time the Jets kick off their 2024 season with a Week 1 Monday Night Football game in San Francisco on September 9. He joined his teammates for OTAs during the spring before missing mandatory minicamp for a personal trip, but Rodgers intends to be in attendance and playing without limitations come training camp.

Saleh unsurprisingly downplayed Rodgers' absence, stating that there's no issue between him and the future Hall of Famer, or between Rodgers and his teammates for that matter. Rodgers was a consistent participant in the offseason program from April until early June, and he'd also let Saleh know he wouldn't be able to attend the just-completed minicamp because of a previous commitment.

The absence wasn't excused by the team, though Rodgers, who is coming back from a torn Achilles that cost him all but three snaps last season, warned coach Robert Saleh ahead of time that he would not be present due to a conflicting event. Saleh went on to try to downplay Rodgers' absence but did admit that he wants all of his players to be present at team practices. Tyrod Taylor ran the first-team offense, though there's no indication that Rodgers' absence will extend into training camp.

The future Hall of Fame signal-caller will naturally hope matters unfold much differently in this year's opener after tearing his Achilles four plays into the Week 1 2023 MNF matchup against the Bills. Rodgers, who was already back to practicing in limited fashion at the end of last season, is reportedly back to full health, but he'll certainly be subject to plenty of potential hits against the aggressive 49ers defense in Week 1.

Head coach Robert Saleh confirmed as much Friday at the start of the team's two-day minicamp, noting Rodgers would be a full go when OTAs begin May 20. The Jets will have four weeks of OTAs beginning on that date, a span that will encompass 10 practices and noncontact, 11-on-11 work.

Rodgers described the rollercoaster of emotions that he went through following the injury and how it contrasted with what he called an "incredible offseason experience" with the Jets after his long-awaited trade from the Packers occurred. Rodgers attacked his post-surgery rehabilitation with such intensity that he was back to practicing on a limited basis over the last three weeks of the regular season, and head coach Robert Saleh recently confirmed that he expects the future Hall of Fame quarterback to participate in OTAs in May.

Rodgers' Week 1 Achilles injury in 2023 at least spared him from the 64-sack barrage that the likes of Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle endured in his stead over the rest of the season, and the future Hall of Fame signal-caller should also have a good chance of avoiding that fate in 2024. Smith is the third offensive lineman New York has already added in free agency, although he is 33 years old and also has missed 37 games over the last four seasons due to injury.