The New York Jets were the talk of the NFL before the regular season started. That is because they acquired future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers. However, things quickly took a turn for the worse when Rodgers got hurt within four snaps of his Jets tenure.
At the time, Rodgers tore his Achilles. That made many people speculate that he would be out for the season. However, Rodgers hinted for several weeks that he could come back under the right circumstances.
Aaron Rodgers Getting Medically Cleared Next Week
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Rodgers could be medically cleared to play as early as next week. That would allow the Jets to have their star quarterback with three games to go in the regular season. The fact that Rodgers still has a chance to return from an injury like this in the same season is nothing short of a miracle. However, the Jets have factors they need to consider.
Should the New York Jets Let Aaron Rodgers Play?
Tomorrow, the New York Jets have to face the Miami Dolphins. This is the second time these two teams are meeting this season. The Dolphins blew out the Jets on Black Friday in their first meeting.
However, this game has bigger stakes attached to it. The reason is that it is likely the game that truly determines if Rodgers steps back on a football field this season. Rapoport mentions in his report above that the result of the Dolphins game tomorrow is going to help determine if Rodgers ever plays this year.
When you look at the bigger picture, this take makes sense. First of all, the Jets have Rodgers under contract for one more season. Then, you have to look at what their current record is.
Right now, the Jets have a 5-8 record. The Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts both won on Saturday, meaning the final wild card teams currently have 8-6 records. A loss tomorrow against the Dolphins all but eliminates the Jets from playoff contention.
So, if they do lose against the Dolphins, it would make no sense to expose Rodgers to more potential injuries for meaningless football games. New York needs Rodgers to be available for a full season. Even with a win tomorrow, the Jets would still need a lot to go their way to make the playoffs. Plus, if Rodgers is out for good, it could mean the departure of head coach Robert Saleh.
New York Jets Need to Win in Week 15
Given the stakes mentioned above, the Jets now have to find a way to win in Week 15. Ironically, this is going to be left up to QB Zach Wilson, the same quarterback the Jets and their fans tried to run out of town just weeks ago. Wilson is coming off his best game of the season last week. It was his first 300-yard passing game and he threw two touchdowns.
Now, the Jets will need Wilson to help keep up with this elite Dolphins offense. The Dolphins have the QB with the most passing yards, the WR with the most receiving yards, and the RB with the second-most rushing yards in the NFL. Despite getting upset by the Tennessee Titans last week, the Dolphins’ elite offense makes them 8.5-point favorites against the Jets in this game.
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