With Aaron Rodgers' future unclear, Jets head coach says he'd be 'shocked' if QB retires
Aaron Rodgers' future with the Jets is murky after his Achilles injury on Monday night, but New York head coach Robert Saleh doesn't believe this is the end.
Saleh answered questions about the quarterback's status during a media availability session on Wednesday.
"I haven't gone down that road with him," the Jets' head coach said when asked if he had spoken with the Rodgers about his future with the team. "I'd be shocked if this is the way he's gonna go out.
"He's working through a whole lot of headspace things that he needs to deal with, and that will be the last thing I talk to him about."
Rodgers has not made any public comments since he suffered the injury Monday night.
UPDATE: Rodgers posted to Instagram Wednesday afternoon with a caption that read, "I shall yet rise again."
Rumors and speculation about the quarterback's future with his new team will continue to grow as the season wears on. However, it's worth noting that he made multiple comments in the past about his desire to play for the Jets for multiple years. It's possible an injury like the one Rodgers suffered could be enough to make him reconsider.
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Aaron Rodgers contract
Rodgers' initial contract with the Jets was a three-year, $112.5 million deal with $75 million guaranteed.
The former Packer is signed with New York through the 2025 season and is due to make over $38 million next year.
Aaron Rodgers retirement
The latest rumors of Rodgers' potential consideration to retire are not the first of their kind.
In the offseason following the 2021 NFL season, there was much speculation that the then-Packer was considering retirement ahead of 2022. If he didn't retire, there was also the possibility he forced a trade out of Green Bay.
Neither retirement nor a forced trade occurred, and Rodgers went on to play his final season with the Packers in 2022.
Rodgers retirement: Jets QB must confront his football mortality after injury
Jets backup quarterbacks
With Rodgers out for the season, "this is Zach's [Wilson] team, and we're rolling with Zach," according to Saleh.
Wilson slid up the depth chart to starting quarterback on Monday. Behind him, journeyman Tim Boyle is expected to be elevated from the Jets' practice squad, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. He will be the Jets backup quarterback if nothing changes.
Jets backup QB: Free agent, trade options for in post-Aaron Rodgers era
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Aaron Rodgers retire? Jets coach Robert Saleh comments
