Aaron Rodgers is still haunted by ghost of his Achilles injury, claims NFL analyst
On Monday, Aaron Rodgers finally played a full game for the first time since the 2022 season. As he hurt his Achilles just four snaps into 2023, it was understandable to see some rust in his game, even though he's supremely talented.
Rodgers didn't have the best of the games and was pulled early in the fourth quarter. The contest was already out of reach, and the team didn't want to keep him on the field and risk another serious injury. For analyst Michael Robinson, though, there was a bit of a concern regarding his comeback:
I'm not concerned about when the ball actually comes out of his hands. It's still beautiful. Still has a rocket of an arm, put anywhere on the football field. But when you watch him, it's almost like he won't let the rush get close to him. I think he's still thinking about his Achilles. I think he's still thinking about his injury. I think he's still tentative on it right now. And it seems to me, with the absence of a dominant run game for the New York Jets, they need their quarterback to be a little bit more dynamic. Move around a little bit. And again, I'm not saying that Aaron Rodgers isn't moving around, but he is getting that ball out before guys get around his feet.
The veteran quarterback finished the game with 13 completions out of 21 attempts, throwing for 167 yards along with a touchdown and an interception. To return against such a strong defense didn't help his cause, as the San Francisco 49ers' pass rush tormented him all night.
Who will Rodgers, Jets play in Week 2?
They'll once again have an away game, as they'll travel to Nashville to play the Tennessee Titans. With both teams sitting at 0-1, it's the perfect opportunity for the Jets to recover from their early loss.
Rodgers will only get better with time, as his talent is unmatched and he's the best quarterback the Jets have had in decades. He'll also feel more confident about his Achilles, so there's nothing to be concerned about.