Jets' D.J. Reed makes big Aaron Rodgers request

New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed hopes injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers thinks twice before forcing his way into the lineup after the 5-9 Jets were officially eliminated from postseason contention via Sunday's humiliating 30-0 loss at the Miami Dolphins.

"I don’t think so," Reed told Steve Serby of the New York Post about Rodgers trying to play again this season. "He’s a grown man, he’s gonna do what he wants to do at the end of the day. But I just feel like it’s a high risk, low reward just because we’re not going to the playoffs, so … the season, in a way, is over. The ultimate goal is to win a Super Bowl, in my opinion."

It was previously reported Rodgers could be medically cleared from the torn Achilles he suffered on Sept. 11 in time to start this coming Sunday's home game against the Washington Commanders. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted on Saturday that "Sunday's game against the Dolphins could go a long way in determining what's next" for Rodgers, and Rapoport also added that "there are some very important people in the organization who -- out of caution -- want to keep Rodgers out of harm's way until next season." 

Rapoport offered his update before the Jets produced a no-show in Miami that guaranteed the club would go at least 13 consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance. As for Rodgers, the 40-year-old remains on track to play for the Jets in September 2024. 

"Quite honestly, I would say up until like probably the mid-third, you could kinda just see the energy and just the momentum and just the emotion on guys’ faces, just kinda down about the whole game," Reed said about the alleged fight the Jets showed at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. "I wouldn’t say I was too happy about that."

While the perception exists that Rodgers will have the final say on if he plays against the Commanders, the Jets could choose to not activate him by Wednesday's deadline for such a move. Logic suggests Reed isn't the only Jets player who wants Rodgers to remain a spectator until next year, but the future Hall of Famer may feel that completing an unexpected comeback months ahead of schedule is more important than the wishes of his teammates.