When Aaron Rodgers suffered a devastating Achilles tear during the fourth play in the 2023 season, the shadow of uncertainty loomed large. The fear of how severe the injury might be and its potential to curtail his career was palpable. Without their star QB, the Jets went on to finish the season with a 7-10 record, with Zach Wilson stepping in as the primary QB. This season marked New York’s eighth consecutive year without a winning record and extended their playoff drought to the longest in the league since their last appearance in 2010.

Meanwhile, Rodgers embarked on a rapid recovery journey. He mentioned that he gained back his health during his recovery. However, not everyone is convinced by Rodgers’ optimistic outlook. One former NFL star expressed skepticism regarding the QB’s claim and doubted whether he would be able to play at the high level that he used to.

Marc Ross sceptical of Aaron Rodgers’ performance post-injury

Marc Ross, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants, recently spoke on NFL Total Access. Ross, who famously bested Rodgers in a 2011 playoff game at Lambeau Field, has always viewed Rodgers as fallible, contrary to the near-mythical status often attributed to him. “In 2011 with the New York Giants, when the Packers were supposed to be the team, we went to Lambeau, went and beat Aaron Rodgers. So we always looked at him as human,” Ross stated.

Ross expressed skepticism about the QB’s ability to return to peak form. “I just have a hard time believing that a 40-year-old coming off an Achilles will play at the level.” Moreover, Ross pointed out concerns beyond physical recovery, noting Rodgers’ recent activities off the field, including his involvement in podcasts that might distract from his focus on football. “I had a lot of question marks about how this would work, not just because of the on-field play that I saw diminishing a little bit, but all the other stuff that we have to deal with off the field with Aaron Rodgers,” he added.

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And one can’t blame Ross for doubting Rodgers. The 4x NFL MVP himself cast doubts on his ability to make a stunning comeback.

Rodgers was heartbroken after his injury

In a deeply introspective moment on the I Can Fly podcast, A-Rod shared the emotional turmoil he experienced after the injury. “I was heartbroken on September 11th in the locker room thinking my career might be over and that’s how I’m gonna go out,” Rodgers confessed, revealing the depths of his despair.

He vividly recalled the poignant moment of running onto the field with an American flag, which juxtaposed sharply against the subsequent ordeal. “Running on the field on 9/11 with an American flag, which I had never done in my life. After all the beauty, the summer and ‘Hard Knocks’ and a new team and just being in New Jersey and the excitement, talking to their amazing fanbase and just feeling just the energy and the momentum building and then that,” he said.

However, he is not one to wallow in self-pity. He said that, in hindsight, “so much changed in my life for the better“. With almost five more months to go before the 2024 campaign kicks off, will he prove doubters, and himself, wrong by playing even better than he did before the injury?

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