Aaron Rodgers hoping to give Jets fans an early Christmas present

If the New York Jets can stay alive in the AFC playoff picture for a few more weeks, they could receive an early Christmas present and renewed hope for the 2023 campaign. 

According to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, QB Aaron Rodgers has been "outward" about his desire to return to the Jets lineup in time for their Christmas Eve game against the Washington Commanders. 

While it all sounds rosy, Anderson cautioned that nothing is guaranteed and there's no indication that Rodgers is close to being cleared to practice. 

Before the slate of Week 11 games began on Sunday, news broke that Rodgers wanted return to practice by Dec. 2, which would coincide with the 21-day practice window coming off IR and the Jets' Week 16 contest. 

While talk of a potential return for Rodgers at some point in 2023 has always been there, the chatter began to gain steam again thanks to a report from Jay Glazer of Fox Sports on Sunday. Per Glazer, Rodgers sent the Jets video of his rehab progress ahead of Week 11, which reportedly "blew them away." 

"In Aaron Rodgers' mind, he's telling the Jets, 'I'd actually like to start practicing as early as Dec. 2,'" Glazer said. "And, if they're still in playoff contention – he really does mean it – he's going to try and play sometime here in the middle of December."

It might be hard to believe Rodgers could be back to playing football 16 weeks after tearing his Achilles in the first game of the season. However, while Rodgers said recently on the "Pat McAfee Show" that there still wasn't a timetable for his return this year, he never closed the door. 

"It could change. If I have a great week, this week and next that could be accelerated," Rodgers said. "If we are not in it in three or four weeks that could take it a different way. I expect us to be in it and I expect to come back."