Jets' Aaron Rodgers explains mindset about playing future

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers further explained during a Tuesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" why he isn't retiring after he suffered a season-ending torn Achilles on Sept. 11. 

"I did think about the first week, and the first thing that came to my mind is, I don’t know if I’m able to watch in the same way," Rodgers said about his new off-the-field experiences, according to Jimmy Hascup of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "Honestly. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to sit my a-- on the couch and watch a whole game or watch the 'RedZone' channel. That was kind of every confirmation I needed that I’m not done, that I want to keep playing."

Rodgers accepted a massive pay cut this past summer to help the Jets compete for a Super Bowl title across at least the next two seasons. He then insisted in an Instagram post shared on Sept. 13 that he "shall rise yet again" even though some experts fear the future Hall of Famer who turns 40 years old this December will never be the same coming off such a serious setback. 

Per SNY, Rodgers teased last week he hasn't yet given up on somehow taking the field if the Jets make the playoffs in January. He sounded more realistic when he acknowledged Tuesday he's had "some good days and some bad days" amid the early stages of his recovery. 

"...I’m not just ready to find something else to do on my Sundays," Rodgers added about his mindset. "Like, I’m still invested. I still love it and living and dying with every play, watching our boys and pulling for them to figure it out and stick together and get through this tough stretch."

Rodgers' commitment to the Jets beyond this fall is admirable but could ultimately prevent the franchise from acquiring a proven quarterback if Zach Wilson continues to look overwhelmed ahead of the Oct. 31 trade deadline. While the 2023 Jets may no longer have any realistic hopes of winning a Super Bowl, Rodgers seems excited to begin training camp next summer as the team's QB1.