Editing Aaron Rodgers (section)

====2023: Achilles injury====
{{see also|2023 New York Jets season}}
[[File:Rodgers vs Bills 2.jpg|thumb|right|Rodgers (white, #8) takes a snap against the Bills.]]
On April 26, 2023, Rodgers was traded to the Jets, along with the Packers' first and fifth-round selections in the [[2023 NFL draft]], in exchange for the Jets' first, second (via [[Cleveland Browns|Cleveland]]) and sixth-round selections in the 2023 draft and a conditional second-round selection (which would have converted to a first if Rodgers played 65% of the offensive snaps in 2023, but it did not happen) in the [[2024 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Eric |date=April 26, 2023 |title=OFFICIAL Jets Acquire QB Aaron Rodgers From Green Bay Packers |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-acquire-qb-aaron-rodgers-from-green-bay-packers |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}</ref> The move echoed the career path of his predecessor Brett Favre, who similarly spent over fifteen years as quarterback of the Packers before being traded to the Jets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Jeff |date=April 24, 2023 |title=Aaron Rodgers traded to Jets: Ex-Packers QB taking eerily similar path as Brett Favre in journey to New York |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/aaron-rodgers-traded-to-jets-ex-packers-qb-taking-eerily-similar-path-as-brett-favre-in-journey-to-new-york/ |access-date=May 1, 2023 |website=CBS Sports}}</ref> Although [[Joe Namath]] granted Rodgers permission to wear his retired No. 12 jersey, Rodgers announced that he would return to wearing the No. 8 jersey, which he had worn throughout his college career with the [[California Golden Bears football|California Golden Bears]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riccette |first=Billy |date=April 26, 2023 |title=Aaron Rodgers on number change: 'To me, No. 12 is Broadway Joe' |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-rodgers-number-change-no-185505111.html |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=Yahoo! Sports}}</ref> On July 26, 2023, Rodgers took a pay cut and agreed to a reworked contract with the Jets.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cimini |first1=Rich |title=Aaron Rodgers signs reworked contract with Jets |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38075863/aaron-rodgers-agrees-reworked-contract-jets |website=[[ESPN.com]] |date=July 26, 2023 |access-date=July 26, 2023}}</ref>

Making his Jets debut in Week 1 on ''Monday Night Football'' against the Bills at [[MetLife Stadium]], Rodgers injured his left ankle on just his fourth offensive snap after being sacked by Bills' defensive end [[Leonard Floyd]]. Rodgers was helped off the field and later carted to the locker room for further evaluation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cimini |first=Rich |date=September 12, 2023 |title=Jets fear QB Aaron Rodgers suffered serious Achilles injury |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38381823/qb-aaron-rodgers-injures-ankle-opening-drive-new-york-jets-debut |access-date=September 12, 2023 |website=[[ESPN.com]] |language=en}}</ref> Rodgers' backup [[Zach Wilson]] went on to lead the Jets to a 22–16 win in overtime.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kownack |first=Bobby |date=September 11, 2023 |title=Jets QB Aaron Rodgers exits Monday's overtime win against Bills on first drive; ankle X-rays negative |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jets-qb-aaron-rodgers-ankle-questionable-to-return-to-monday-s-game-against-bill |access-date=September 12, 2023 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The next day, Rodgers was diagnosed with an [[Achilles tendon rupture]] and was later placed on injured reserve.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dajani |first=Jordan |date=September 12, 2023 |title=Aaron Rodgers injury update: MRI reveals Jets QB suffered a complete tear of Achilles tendon |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/aaron-rodgers-injury-update-mri-reveals-jets-qb-suffered-a-complete-tear-of-achilles-tendon/ |access-date=September 12, 2023 |website=CBS Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Phil |date=September 12, 2023 |title=Jets Place Aaron Rodgers on Injured Reserve; Saleh Commits To Zach Wilson |url=https://www.jetnation.com/2023/09/13/jets-place-aaron-rodgers-on-injured-reserve-saleh-commits-to-zach-wilson/ |access-date=September 14, 2023 |website=JetNation.com}}</ref> Rodgers underwent surgery on September 13, with Dr. [[Neal ElAttrache]] placing an internal brace in his left Achilles with the goal of a mid-January return at the earliest.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Rapoport |first1=Ian |author-link1=Ian Rapoport |last2=Pelissero |first2=Tom |author-link2=Tom Pelissero |date=September 16, 2023 |title=Jets QB Aaron Rodgers aims for potential playoff return after innovative surgery on torn Achilles |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jets-qb-aaron-rodgers-aims-for-potential-playoff-return-after-innovative-surgery |access-date=September 17, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> On November 29, the New York Jets opened the 21-day practice window for Rodgers. Limited in practice, Rodgers was cleared for functional activity but not contact.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=November 29, 2023 |title=Jets opening QB Aaron Rodgers' 21-day practice window |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jets-opening-qb-aaron-rodgers-21-day-practice-window |access-date=November 30, 2023 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He was activated off injured reserve on December 20, but the Jets announced he would not play again this season after their Week 15 loss to the Dolphins mathematically eliminated them from playoff contention.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=December 20, 2023 |title=Jets to activate Aaron Rodgers off IR to allow QB to continue to practice with team |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jets-to-activate-aaron-rodgers-off-ir-to-allow-qb-to-continue-to-practice-with-t |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Reyes | first=Lorenzo | title=Aaron Rodgers' season is over, so why are the Jets activating him? | website=USA TODAY | date=December 20, 2023 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/jets/2023/12/20/aaron-rodgers-comeback-jets-shut-down-achilles-tear/71825680007/ | access-date=July 24, 2024}}</ref>