Aaron Rodgers clarifies comments about return to Derwin James caught on video

Aaron Rodgers teased Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James saying it’d be a “few weeks” until his return to the field for the New York Jets.

It was indeed a tease as a more realistic timetable is going to be a bit longer according to Rodgers, who clarified his postgame remarks on The Pat McAfee Show. But Rodgers certainly maintained that his goal is to play again this season, despite tearing an Achilles.

As Rodgers put it, the initial comments were a little “tongue in cheek” with a good friend in James.

“I’ve known Derwin for a while, we got the same agency, really have a lot of respect for him and his game,” Rodgers said. “He came over and dapped me up during during the game. Good to see him after the game. I didn’t realize that was gonna get caught there. I didn’t mean, obviously that was said with little tongue in cheek there. It’d be nice to be back in a couple of weeks. That’s probably not anywhere near a realistic timeline. 

“But a couple is, you know, could be a few, could be a lot. It’s more of a phrase that didn’t have a specific timetable. But I said smiling joking, you know, he was talking about how you know he’s excited for me to get back on the field at some point. I joked it’d be a few weeks but obviously going to be more than a couple of weeks.”

Aaron Rodgers not coming back as soon as he says?

Rodgers later said it’d be a “few fortnights” before he’s back on the field. A fortnight is 14 days and a “few,” if you want it to mean three let’s say, would mean six weeks for Rodgers.

That would mean he could return in Week 15, when the Jets are at the Dolphins on December 17. Of course, this is a pure hypothetical.

“I’m feeling good with my rehab,” Rodgers said. “You know I’ve been grinding, was able to get into Jersey on Monday morning and See the guys before the game and throw a couple balls around … Yeah, just felt kind of normal to be out there. And listen when I’m 70 I think I’ll still be able to throw the ball pretty good … It’s just how quickly can I get this rehab where I need it to be?

“We got to play some better football on offense than we did last night but I’m excited where I’m at. Good to see the guys, good to see the crowd, obviously disappointing game but got another one coming up Sunday in Vegas, a chance to bounce back.”

The Jets are currently 4-4 and a game out of the final Wild Card spot. If they’re able to stay afloat and Rodgers comes back, well, you never know.