Aaron Rodgers is still on track for takeoff in 2024.
The 40-year-old quarterback is expected to fully participate in organized team activities with no restrictions later this month, coach Robert Saleh said Friday.
"I know he's had a couple prior engagements that he's taking care of, but he's here, he's working," Saleh said of Rodgers. "I mean, the guy can still sling it. Obviously, he's still working through his rehab, but no issues on the trajectory on which he's going."
Rodgers suffered an Achilles tear in the first game of his Jets career at the start of the 2023 season, forcing him to watch New York labor through the campaign without him while undergoing surgery that gave him a slight chance of returning in time for a playoff push. When such an opportunity failed to materialize, Rodgers was reduced to a practice arm while preparing for 2024.
It's no surprise, then, that a quarterback who believed he had an outside shot at getting back on the field at the end of the 2023 campaign will be expected to have no limitations in May activities. It's also a positive sign for the Jets, who have learned from their roster-building mistakes by signing veteran Tyrod Taylor to back up Rodgers, but are still planning on embarking on the 2024 season with Rodgers leading the way. They'll do so with caution, but nothing more than the usual load management for a veteran.
"Well, it's naturally managed because of the Phase 1, Phase 2 part of it, but once Phase 3 hits, we're not anticipating any restrictions with what we can and can't do with him," Saleh said.
With the addition of Mike Williams and rookie Malachi Corley to the receivers room, the Jets are fully prepared to attack 2024 as if there is no tomorrow. That's especially true for Rodgers, who will resume his journey as the face of the Jets later this month.
