Aaron Rodgers wins Jets award despite hardly playing

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers ultimately gave the New York Jets just four regular-season offensive snaps during his first year with the organization but earned a noteworthy honor ahead of the club's campaign finale at the 4-12 New England Patriots this Sunday. 

The Jets announced on Friday that players voted Rodgers the team's most inspirational player for the 2023 season.

"I've said it a million times, he loves his teammates and his teammates love him," Jets head coach Robert Saleh said about Rodgers on Friday, per Rich Cimini of ESPN. "He's so intentional with how he approaches everybody in the building. He's very thoughtful in the way he does things, and he's a tremendous human. He's really well deserving of this award."

Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles early into the regular-season opener on Sept. 11 but teased soon after the fact that he could return to the lineup well ahead of schedule. The future Hall of Famer then made a remarkable recovery and had his 21-day practice window officially opened on Nov. 29. However, the Jets ultimately fell to 5-9 before it became clear that Rodgers wouldn't play again until next season. 

Rodgers, Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas are all expected to run it back with the Jets for another go even though Saleh holds an overall record of 17-33 with the organization. A belief widely held among outsiders is that team owner Woody Johnson has given Rodgers at least some say regarding such important personnel decisions. 

"It's inspiring, man," Jets left tackle Duane Brown said about Rodgers attempting to play again this season. "To see his recovery, even without being on the field, has been remarkable. And the attitude he has -- I'm sure the day-to-day isn't easy, but he doesn't complain about it."

Rodgers, who turned 40 years old on Dec. 2, accepted a significant pay cut this past summer and suggested last month he wants to give the Jets a minimum of two full seasons after he experienced "a lost year" with the club. Whether or not his body will cooperate shall be seen.