Aaron Rodgers takes another shot at Dr. Anthony Fauci while discussing 'defying science' in his Achilles recovery

Is Aaron Rodgers defying science in his recovery from his torn Achilles?

Less than five weeks after having surgery to repair the injury that many believed would be season-ending, Rodgers was on the field at MetLife Stadium throwing some passes without crutches before the New York Jets' game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. It was the same field in which he tore the Achilles just four plays into his season.

"Aaron does things his own way," former Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk said Tuesday on "The Pat McAfee Show" during Rodgers' weekly appearance. "He defies science."

Rodgers responded with a shot that has nothing to do with his torn Achilles, an injury that can take up to a year to fully recover from, though there's a recent example of a player returning much quicker.

"If science is Dr. Fauci, you're damn right I’m defying it," Rodgers fired back.

Rodgers, of course, is referring to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who helped lead the country's effort against COVID-19 under both the Trump and Biden administrations.

Rodgers first made headlines over the COVID-19 pandemic while he was with the Green Bay Packers in 2021 and, ever since, the four-time MVP continues to be a leading voice for those who are against vaccines. Rodgers claimed two years ago that science is "propaganda" if it can't be questioned.

He also has taken aim at Fauci numerous times in the last couple of years and recently said he wants to team with presidential candidate and vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. to debate Fauci and NFL superstar tight end Travis Kelce over vaccines.

Last week, Rodgers called Fauci a "pharmacrat" in his desire to debate the renowned doctor, who has faced personal threats and harassment since the beginning of the pandemic.

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Rodgers does like some doctors and is using medical innovation in his recovery. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a noted surgeon in Los Angeles, performed the surgery on Rodgers two days after he suffered the injury. Rodgers knows ElAttrache well since he worked on Rodgers' broken collarbone in 2017.

"My doctor did kind of a newer, innovative surgery and I asked him if we could push it beyond the normal protocols," Rodgers said Tuesday.

For his Achilles recovery, Rodgers told his doctors what he wanted to do for his rehab. They've been "incredible to work with" in helping Rodgers be "way ahead of schedule" on his comeback.

Rodgers also referenced Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers, who returned to the field less than six months after he suffered the same injury in 2022.

"I just wanted to do things quicker — smart but quicker," Rodgers said about his recovery.

Rodgers said a key for him in his recovery is his belief in the "power of intention. I believe in the power of your mind and the will, will power."

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Rodgers felt "great" when he threw on the field pregame Sunday. During the game, Rodgers put on a headset and looked like a head coach.

"To be on the headset, it made me feel like I wasn’t so separated from the team," Rodgers said. "Really thankful for that."

Jets head coach Robert Saleh said in his postgame press conference that Rodgers being there had a positive effect on the team.

New York pulled off an upset over the previously undefeated Eagles, 20-14, to improve its record to 3-3. It was Rodgers' first game on the sideline since the injury.

Rodgers' "superpower is his presence," Saleh said.

"His positive attitude, his thoughts of manifestation is powerful. He’s an unbelievable human and intangibles he brings to his teammates is priceless."

Rodgers didn't have communication with quarterback Zach Wilson during the game but he was in contact with coaches.

Would Rodgers want to be a coach when he does retire?

"I’m not planning on being a coach," said Rodgers, who last year expressed being a high school coach could be appealing to him. "I had fun with (the headset). No, I don’t have any desires to be a coach. The schedule, so much guarding your desk."

Hawk reminded Rodgers that, if he's the head coach, he has more control and can operate a team any way he wants.

For Rodgers, his focus is on being a player.

"Five weeks were really tough, not just physically," Rodgers said about his rehab. "Emotionally and spiritually."

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Aaron Rodgers takes another shot at Dr. Fauci on The Pat McAfee Show