The early-season injury to Aaron Rodgers surely came as an unexpected shock to many in the football community as it disheartened his legion of fans.
Rodgers, a future Hall of Famer, suffered a significant Achilles injury during the opening moments of his first game as a member of the New York Jets, a moment that cast a somber cloud over the entire football season.
The loss of Rodgers, a renowned quarterback, was undoubtedly a massive blow for his team. His skills and leadership on the field had long been a cornerstone of their success, as his absence left both the team and its supporters with concerns about the potential consequences for the Jets’ season.
However, in a poignant and heartfelt gesture, Aaron Rodgers reached out to Garett Wilson, a young talent on the team, to personally apologize for his injury, saying, “sorry kid.” This touching act of empathy left Wilson undoubtedly emotional, as it highlighted the depth of Rodgers’ character and the bond between teammates.
What Did Aaron Rodgers Say to Garrett Wilson?
In a heartfelt gesture, the four-time MVP quarterback offered his apologies to Russell Wilson after a devastating Achilles injury sidelined him during the opening drive of their Week 1 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
Wilson said on 98.7 FM ESPN New York:
“At halftime I just went in to check on him in the training room and just made sure I gave him a hug and told him I love him, if it really hurt my heart. He told me ‘sorry, kid’ and said he loved me back and that was it. Just truly heartbroken.”
Garrett Wilson
Rodgers and Wilson had dedicated substantial time during the offseason to cultivate a strong on-field connection through rigorous training camp and preseason preparations.
While Wilson, clearly moved by the unfortunate incident, shared his perspective, noting the emotional turmoil he witnessed as Rodgers fought to return to the field, their collaborative efforts throughout the offseason, which included enduring the rigors of training camp and OTAs, were marred by the unexpected injury.
Wilson further commended Rodgers for his unwavering commitment and dedication to the team, emphasizing that Rodgers had chosen to be fully engaged and had consistently followed the correct procedures. This unexpected setback in their very first game of the season left a profound sense of heartbreak and disappointment.
What Happened to Aaron Rodgers?
Aaron Rodgers’ New York debut took an unfortunate turn as he suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the fourth play of the Jets’ Monday night season opener. The injury occurred when Rodgers was sacked by Bills’ edge rusher Leonard Floyd.
Fans and the football community have been left concerned about Rodgers’ potential comeback. However, recovering from a torn Achilles tendon is a process that typically spans four to six months, with longer periods required to engage in high-impact activities like running and jumping safely.
Expressing his feelings on the situation, Rodgers stated, “I’m completely heartbroken and moving through all of the emotions, but deeply touched and humbled by the support and love.”
This setback has also reignited discussions across the NFL about the safety of playing surfaces in stadiums, with The NFL Players Association issuing a call to the league, urging a transition to natural grass playing surfaces across all NFL stadiums.
The association argues that natural grass is unequivocally safer than artificial turf, underlying concerns about player safety, a move that will act as an injury prevention among athletes.
Is This the End of Aaron Rodgers’ Career?
Aaron Rodgers’ devastating Achilles injury could potentially sideline him for the entire year, but there are still questions about whether we’ve witnessed the last of the future Hall of Famer on the football field. However, experts are of the view that the injury will likely be that catastrophic for Rodgers and will less likely end his career.
Rodgers suffered this significant injury during his first offensive possession in his debut game as a New York Jets player, effectively ruling him out for the entire 2023 season.
However, reports have emerged suggesting that Rodgers’ lucrative two-year, $75 million contract with the Jets is “guaranteed.” This implies that the team may be obligated to pay him the full contract amount, even if he never returns to play another game due to his injury.
But it’s also important to note that the NFL acknowledges on its official website that not all contracts are fully guaranteed.
In the event that Rodgers’ contract did not provide coverage for injury-related circumstances, there might be an avenue for the Jets to avoid payment if he doesn’t recover and return to the field.
Nevertheless, as it currently stands, Aaron Rodgers appears to be in a position of financial security with his contract money fully guaranteed.
Let us know what your reaction upon hearing Rodgers’ injury was! Do you think he’ll have a comeback anytime soon? Write to us below!
