Aaron Rodgers refutes reported December 2 return date, clarifies targeted timeline

Over the weekend, it was reported that Aaron Rodgers is targeting Dec. 2 as his return date from his torn Achilles by FOX’s Jay Glazer.

That got fans of the New York Jets, as well as NFL fans in general, juiced up. However, Rodgers took to The Pat McAfee Show to put the kibosh on that statement, wondering how Glazer came up with that information.

“That’s a Saturday. It’s also my birthday. I’m not exactly sure where (Jay Glazer) got that date from,” Rodgers revealed. “I have said that I’d love to be trending towards practicing by my birthday. Maybe that, in a game of telephone, got back that I wanted to, you know. But I don’t think there’s any reason in opening you know, designated to return from IR on a Saturday, unless you’re going to activate me on a Sunday.

“So I don’t think that’s necessarily the way things are going, as far as specific dates.”

Alas, that would be an awesome birthday present for the Jets quarterback, but it doesn’t sound like it’s truly realistic. Nevertheless, Rodgers is beginning to excite his teammates and New York’s brass, as he sent them a video of him training that blew them away over the weekend, as well.

Continuing his weekly interview, Rodgers elaborated on the video he sent, and what exactly it entailed.

“I sent — I like to keep in touch with the guys, and let them know what my progress is. I just sent a couple of the boys a video of me on the treadmill. You know, they’re interested in my rehab and where I’m at,” Rodgers added. “I haven’t been back to the facility in a few weeks. Obviously we played Vegas, and then I wasn’t back in Buffalo. But just keeping them updated where I’m at.”

It sounds as if Rodgers is making an unprecedented recovery. However, will it all be for nothing? The Jets are in immense danger of falling out of the playoff race, and even if Rodgers went the positive route by explaining past examples of 4-6 teams to make runs, New York is staring down the barrel of another loss.

The Jets simply can’t score offensive touchdowns, and they’re starting journeyman Tim Boyle over Zach Wilson against — *checks notes — the top offensive team in the NFL in the Miami Dolphins.

Barring a miraculous performance on Black Friday, the Jets will likely be 4-7, and potentially three games out of a playoff spot. Miraculous recovery or not, Aaron Rodgers may not even be able to salvage that.