Aaron Rodgers’ resurgence exhibits he might need loads left

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive deal with Jeremiah Ledbetter (99) sacks New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) through the first half of an NFL soccer sport 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 discipline 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 unimaginable street to restoration

In his final two video games, Rodgers is 43 of 69 — a 62% completion fee — 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 a very good 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 true 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 sequence of accidents to his hamstring, ankle and knee early this season clearly affected his mobility and skill 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 suppose 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 discuss 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 acquired a few extra years, on the very least, left in him.’”

READ: NFL: Jets lose Aaron Rodgers to Achilles damage

The massive questions are:

Does Rodgers need to proceed enjoying? (He stated he’s undecided).

Do the Jets need him past this season? (That continues to be to be seen with New York looking for a brand new normal supervisor and coach).

There are contract points to think about, too. Rodgers is signed via subsequent season with a $2.5 million non-guaranteed base wage and could be due a $35 million possibility bonus. He would additionally depend $23.5 million in opposition to the wage cap. But when he’s lower or retires, the Jets might take in a $49 million lifeless cash cost.

Rodgers is definitely giving the franchise, which is 4-10 and has the NFL’s longest energetic playoff drought at 14 seasons, loads to consider. And for just a few weeks, not less than, he has supplied a glimpse of what might’ve been — and what could be transferring ahead.

“Too little, too late, nevertheless it’s nonetheless particular,” Rodgers stated of the win Sunday. “This was a yr 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 deal with Olu Fashanu, heart Joe Tippmann, proper guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and proper deal with 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 strain.

“The offensive line had an excellent sport and I had all day to throw,” Rodgers stated. “Large shout out to the large 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 quite than chew up extra clock and pressure Jacksonville to make use of its timeouts. However Mac Jones acquired the Jaguars into Jets territory in opposition to a banged-up and shaky protection earlier than Sauce Gardner acquired 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.

Fill up

Adams. The veteran large receiver had been strong however unspectacular since being acquired from Las Vegas in October. However Adams was almost 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 will’ve been a 30-yard landing, on 4 targets. In two video games since getting back from a chest damage that sidelined him for 5 video games, Lazard has solely an 18-yard reception in restricted probabilities.

Accidents

Ulbrich stated DT Quinnen Williams is being evaluated for a hamstring damage. “It’s a place the place typically hamstrings, you may play with,” Ulbrich stated. “However we’ll see. We won’t put Quinnen in hurt’s approach 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 damage that sidelined him Sunday.

Key quantity

135 — That’s what number of yards receiving Adams had within the closing 4 minutes Sunday, essentially the most by any participant in a sport over that stretch of time this century, in accordance with ESPN Analysis.

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.