Jacksonville Jaguars defensive sort out Jeremiah Ledbetter (99) sacks New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) in the course of the first half of an NFL soccer recreation Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photograph/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Aaron Rodgers turned again the clock the previous few weeks — and reignited discuss whether or not the New York Jets quarterback has one other high quality season left in him.
Or possibly much more.
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The 41-year-old Rodgers scrambled like a teen and tossed the ball across the subject to Davante Adams as if it had been the previous days in a 32-25 victory Sunday at Jacksonville.
READ: NFL: Aaron Rodgers faces arduous however not unattainable street to restoration
In his final two video games, Rodgers is 43 of 69 — a 62% completion charge — for 628 yards and 4 touchdowns with no interceptions.
“I feel there’s some absolute fact to the truth that he struggled with accidents for an excellent a part of the season,” interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich stated Monday. “And as he’s beginning to get more healthy, you’re beginning to see Aaron Rodgers. The actual Aaron Rodgers.”
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That’s extra just like the quarterback the Jets and their followers anticipated when Rodgers was acquired from Inexperienced Bay in April 2023. A torn Achilles tendon sabotaged his debut simply 4 snaps in. A collection of accidents to his hamstring, ankle and knee early this season clearly affected his mobility and talent to make the kind of performs he has been so accustomed to creating.
Rodgers even ran for 45 yards, the seventh-highest complete of his 20-year profession, on six carries within the win over the Jaguars.
“I didn’t assume he had it in him,” left guard John Simpson stated whereas laughing. “However he’s getting on the market transferring once more. Man, he’s having enjoyable with it.”
There have been debates on sports activities speak radio and TV about whether or not Rodgers is completed and everyone seems to be watching the demise of one of many NFL’s biggest quarterbacks.
Rodgers is saying — together with his legs and proper arm — not so quick.
“After seeing him run across the previous couple of weeks and getting his mobility again and getting his well being again,” Ulbrich stated, “each a part of me is like: ‘This man has received a few extra years, on the very least, left in him.’”
READ: NFL: Jets lose Aaron Rodgers to Achilles harm
The massive questions are:
Does Rodgers need to proceed taking part in? (He stated he’s undecided).
Do the Jets need him past this season? (That is still to be seen with New York trying to find a brand new common supervisor and coach).
There are contract points to contemplate, too. Rodgers is signed by way of subsequent season with a $2.5 million non-guaranteed base wage and could be due a $35 million possibility bonus. He would additionally rely $23.5 million towards the wage cap. But when he’s lower or retires, the Jets might take up a $49 million useless cash cost.
Rodgers is actually giving the franchise, which is 4-10 and has the NFL’s longest energetic playoff drought at 14 seasons, lots to consider. And for a couple of weeks, a minimum of, he has offered a glimpse of what might’ve been — and what could be transferring ahead.
“Too little, too late, but it surely’s nonetheless particular,” Rodgers stated of the win Sunday. “This was a 12 months of issues that we had been shut, however we form of let it get away from us in the course of the season.”
What’s working
The offensive line. Rodgers was extremely complimentary of the 5 guys up entrance — Simpson, left sort out Olu Fashanu, middle Joe Tippmann, proper guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and proper sort out Morgan Moses — after he went 16 of 30 for 289 yards and three touchdowns. He was additionally sacked simply as soon as and barely confronted heavy stress.
“The offensive line had an impressive recreation and I had all day to throw,” Rodgers stated. “Huge shout out to the massive boys.”
What wants assist
Clock administration. The protection bailed out Ulbrich, who elected to be aggressive and have the offense rating the go-ahead landing with 1:05 left somewhat than chew up extra clock and power Jacksonville to make use of its timeouts. However Mac Jones received the Jaguars into Jets territory towards a banged-up and shaky protection earlier than Sauce Gardner received his first interception in two years to seal it.
“The way in which the sport completed this Sunday is what we’ve been lacking,” linebacker Jamien Sherwood stated of the protection.
Top off
Adams. The veteran broad receiver had been strong however unspectacular since being acquired from Las Vegas in October. However Adams was practically unstoppable within the second half, when he caught 9 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns from Rodgers. That got here after he had two drops within the first half.
Inventory down
WR Allen Lazard. He had no catches and two drops, together with one that may’ve been a 30-yard landing, on 4 targets. In two video games since getting back from a chest harm that sidelined him for 5 video games, Lazard has solely an 18-yard reception in restricted possibilities.
Accidents
Ulbrich stated DT Quinnen Williams is being evaluated for a hamstring harm. “It’s a place the place typically hamstrings, you may play with,” Ulbrich stated. “However we’ll see. We is not going to put Quinnen in hurt’s manner in any respect and we’ll do proper by him.” … S Jalen Mills (collarbone) and CB Michael Carter II (decrease again) had been additionally being checked out. … CB D.J. Reed is coping with a groin harm that sidelined him Sunday.
Key quantity
135 — That’s what number of yards receiving Adams had within the closing 4 minutes Sunday, probably the most by any participant in a recreation over that stretch of time this century, in line with ESPN Analysis.
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What’s subsequent
The Jets will host Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams (8-6) whereas trying to win consecutive video games for simply the second time this season.
