Aaron Rodgers says it was always 'unrealistic' to think he could have returned at 100% during regular season, plans to play next two years

Aaron Rodgers plans to play at least two more NFL seasons and he doesn't need a darkness retreat to contemplate that.

The former Green Bay Packers quarterback's comeback attempt this season is all but done as he is still not medically cleared from his torn Achilles and with the New York Jets officially eliminated from playoff contention.

But Rodgers acknowledged on Tuesday during his appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he's as optimistic about his future as ever and the Jets.

“We’re going to rise again and it’s going to be exciting," Rodgers said. "The night is darkness before the dawn. We’re going to rise in the end."

Rodgers, who turned 40 years old earlier this month, also doesn't expect 2024 to be his last season, either.

With that mind, what does Rodgers have in store moving forward following the "lost season" he said he and the Jets experienced this year?

Will Aaron Rodgers return this season?

From the moment he went down on MetLife Stadium turf in the season opener, Rodgers had a goal in mind.

He wanted to do something no one had ever done after an Achilles injury. He wanted to return within 18 weeks. He had surgery two days after the injury with a renowned surgeon he's known for years. And the surgery involved a technique to speed up the recovery process.

When many assumed his season was over due to the typical rehab time of such an injury Rodgers had an "anything is possible" mindset.

"I had always circled the 24th in my head from the day I got hurt," Rodgers said, referencing the Jets' game against the Washington Commanders on Dec. 24. "I'm gonna put my sights on that. Put my focus on it."

He won't be playing in that game or likely the rest of the season.

Rodgers also said over the last month that his return relied on the Jets' position in the playoff race. The Jets were officially eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday to fall to 5-9 with three games left.

"The whole time (about returning) it’s been hoping we’re still in it," Rodgers said. "It was unrealistic to think I would be 100% to be medically cleared at any point during the regular season. I do think in the next three to four weeks (it's) very possible to get to 100%."

Regardless, he is still not medically cleared to play a day before the deadline for him to be added to the 53-man roster from the injured reserve.

"If I'd be 100% today I'd be pushing to play," Rodgers said. "Fact is I'm not. I'm still 14 weeks tomorrow from my surgery and medically cleared as 100% is not realistic at 14 weeks."

Rodgers is now "without a timetable to come back."

Aaron Rodgers plans to play in 2024 and beyond

That said, Rodgers not only is eyeing 2024 to play again but also 2025. Asked if next season will be his "Last Dance," Rodgers isn't thinking like that.

"I don’t think so," Rodgers said. He said when he arrived to the Jets after 18 years with the Packers the four-time MVP had a "renewed passion and love for the game."

Rodgers wanted to play "at least two years" with the Jets but since his season ended after four plays in Week 1 he wants to fulfill that promise.

"I don’t think next year will be my last year," Rodgers reiterated.

He added that he believes with the right nutrition he "can be effective in my 40s, which is crazy."

"I want to see what I can get out of my body," Rodgers said.

What's the future with Aaron Rodgers and the Jets organization?

Rodgers' injury in Week 1 set the stage for an extremely disappointing season for the Jets. They continue to have the longest playoff drought in professional sports, dating back to 2010 and their head coach Robert Saleh appears to be on the hot seat.

Rodgers, however, has full confidence in the organization with him back.

"The future is very bright in New Jersey," Rodgers said, before referencing his belief in Jets general manager Joe Douglas, Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

As far as the roster, Rodgers said he expects to have an open line of communication throughout the offseason. "It's not a situation where we have to rebuild," Rodgers said. "We have to reload a little bit."

He called himself "a pretty decent recruiter" over his career and said he's "always kind of in the loop" with the Jets' decisions.

Several former Packers players joined him in New York this season but two have already two already been cut and the others have been ineffective without Rodgers.

Will Aaron Rodgers do another darkness retreat?

Rodgers said he's going to do his usual workout on the West Coast during the early part of the offseason.

Then he'll be back with the team "around the draft to get this thing right" and put his "stamp on the offense."

What he won't be doing is another darkness retreat.

"I’ve been there, done that," Rodgers said. "I don’t think I need to go back in the dark cave anymore. I’ve had enough contemplation."

Rodgers made headlines last offseason when he isolated himself in complete darkness at a secluded site in the northwoods of Oregon to contemplate his playing future and to "surrender his thoughts" in silence. At the time he was undecided about whether he wanted to return for a 19th season and was still with the Packers.

His darkness retreat took place for five days and four nights.

Packers schedule: Will Aaron Rodgers and the Jets come to Lambeau Field in 2024?

It seems very likely.

The Packers host a team from the AFC East in 2024 and their opponent will be the team that finishes in the same spot as Green Bay does in that division.

Both teams are in third place in their respective divisions. The Jets appear set in that spot while the Packers can still finish second, third or fourth.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Aaron Rodgers won't return this season, comments on darkness retreat