Aaron Rodgers is, at least for now, still the starting quarterback for the New York Jets.
Rodgers, despite the Jets’ struggles and his apparent injuries in recent weeks, will “absolutely” be the team’s starting quarterback against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Monday that Rodgers is the healthiest he has been in a month coming off a bye week, and the team is not yet considering sidelining him for the rest of the season.
“All I can say — and you’d have to ask Aaron if he’s completely healthy — but he’s better today than he’s been lately,” Ulbrich said, via ESPN. “So he’s definitely feeling healthier than he probably has in the last month. And a healthy Aaron Rodgers is the Aaron Rodgers that we all love. So I’m excited about how it looks.”
Ulbrich also denied knowing anything about reports that Rodgers resisted medicals offered by the Jets. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported earlier this week that Rodgers didn’t want to “reveal the severity of his injuries for fear of having to leave the field,” which is why he apparently denied medical exams.
Although Ulbrich did not say the report was inaccurate, he insisted he knew nothing.
“It’s news to me,” Ulbrich said.
This season has not gone well for Rodgers or the Jets, who are now committed to a complete rebuild after firing both their head coach and general manager. The Jets are 3-8 entering Sunday’s game and have lost seven of their last eight. Rodgers has thrown for 2,442 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season, his first complete game with the Jets after injuring his Achilles just four games into his first game with the organization last season.
The 40-year-old player also struggled with many injuries this season. He suffered a knee injury, a “significant” hamstring injury and a low ankle sprain, though he played through them all. Rodgers was described by Rapoport as “inflated,” which is a very general term, but it’s unclear how serious the injuries are — especially if Rodgers actually refuses to undergo testing.
While Rodgers’ future with the organization is unclear and the team is almost certain to miss the playoffs this season, Rodgers will start Sunday at MetLife Stadium. What happens next, for him and the Jets as a whole, is still unknown.