Jets' Robert Saleh has blunt take on potential Aaron Rodgers return

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh sounds disinterested in any talk suggesting the potential return to the lineup of quarterback Aaron Rodgers should serve as extra motivation for his 4-7 club ahead of Sunday's home game against the 5-6 Atlanta Falcons. 

"It shouldn't," Saleh directly responded when asked about the subject on Friday, per the Jets' website. "...To answer your question, as an external motivator, those are usually good for a slight push, but it can’t be how you live."

Rodgers returned to practice on Wednesday amid his recovery from the torn Achilles he suffered on Sept. 11. The future Hall of Famer who turns 40 years old on Saturday admitted while speaking with reporters on Thursday that "it wouldn't make sense" for him to play again before next summer if the Jets are essentially out of playoff contention when he's cleared for contact. 

As of Friday afternoon, the ESPN Football Power Index gave the Jets a 0.5% chance of qualifying for the postseason tournament. At that same time, oddschecker listed New York as a two-point underdog against Atlanta. 

It's believed Rodgers could try to play at the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 17 if the Jets beat the Falcons and then notch a home win over the Houston Texans (6-5) on Dec. 10. 

"I feel like the playoffs are always from Week 1 all the way through," Saleh added on Friday. "You can say it is almost sudden death, I guess, but you always have to have the mindset to play every game like a championship game and train yourself to operate that way. If you are waiting to rachet, to turn it up when it becomes life or death...it is too late." 

Former players, doctors and Jets legends warning Rodgers to reconsider his December plans may have little to worry about if Gang Green is 4-9 or 5-8 after Week 14. Then again, it's widely thought Rodgers is calling the shots for the Jets behind the scenes and, thus, will have the final say on when he plays regardless of the team's record at any point before Week 18.