Three-time Super Bowl champion sends warning to Jets' Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers asked while speaking with reporters on Thursday "what's the worst that could happen" if he plays in a meaningful December game coming off the Achilles tear he suffered on Sept. 11. 

Three-time Super Bowl champion and current NFL analyst Mark Schlereth, who underwent 29 surgeries during his career, answered Rodgers' hypothetical question. 

"Your body is such a compensation machine and you will put stress or duress on another aspect of your body you don’t even know you’re doing because your body just automatically compensates for that injury that you’re favoring," Schlereth explained during the latest edition of the "Stinkin' Truth" podcast, as shared by Ryan Gilbert of Audacy. "That would be my big fear is you’re so subconsciously aware, if you will, if that makes sense, of that injury that your body is intentionally protecting it and you don’t even realize that you’re protecting it." 

The Jets lost four straight November games to fall to 4-7 on the season before they opened Rodgers' 21-day practice window on Wednesday. New York hosts the 5-6 Atlanta Falcons this coming Sunday before Gang Green welcomes the Houston Texans (6-5) to MetLife Stadium on Dec. 10. If the Jets get to 6-7, Rodgers may make himself available to start the Week 15 contest at the Miami Dolphins (8-3). 

Rodgers accepted a significant pay cut this past summer, presumably so the Jets can build around him through at least the 2024 season. Schlereth noted that the future Hall of Famer, who turns 40 years old on December 2, could threaten the rest of his career by forcing his way back into the lineup before Week 18 of the ongoing campaign. 

"And then all of a sudden it’s the other Achilles," Schlereth added during his comments. "It’s the opposite knee. It’s the opposite hip. It’s something that breaks down because of your body’s natural protection mechanism." 

Rodgers deserves credit for going all-in on his rehab and for trying to will his teammates to victories over the next two games. If, however, New York loses to Atlanta, shutting Rodgers down should be on the table for the organization.