Aaron Rodgers says he feels ‘guilt’ for NY Jets player’s fate

Aaron Rodgers admits to feeling guilt over the New York Jets’ quarterback situation

Aaron Rodgers has never felt guilt for a day in his life, before or after joining the New York Jets.

Or at least, that’s what the Rodgers-hating media would have you believe.

That’s not what he told The Pat McAfee Show, though. In fact, Rodgers feels guilt about something that isn’t his fault at all: the effect of his injury on Zach Wilson.

"I love Zach Wilson and he's a great kid..

I have some personal guilt around the whole thing and I'm frustrated that I haven't been able to play..

Zach would've had the opportunity to learn and grow without the pressure on him this season" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/GxRQtIDwfp

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 21, 2023

Rodgers explained, “I have some personal guilt… and I’m frustrated I haven’t been able to play. Zach would’ve had the opportunity to learn and grow without pressure on him this season.”

Of course, Rodgers didn’t ask to tear his Achilles tendon. Nor is it all that likely that he told the Jets not to bring in a different backup quarterback (although it’s possible he vouched for Wilson). Truthfully, the responsibility for this situation falls on the shoulders of both Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh.

Still, the personal responsibility Rodgers feels for the Jets is heartening for his prospects of returning to the team.

In fact, Rodgers all but guaranteed that he will be returning in 2024 and perhaps beyond.

“I think there was a thought immediately after the injury that I was done and I’m too old for this [stuff] [but] I’ve gotten a look at retirement and I’m not ready for that,” he said. “I still feel like I’ve got a few good years left and look forward to getting a chance to show that.”

"Rehab has been difficult but in the midst of it there's been some beautiful experiences that I've had..

This isn't how I thought this season would go but life is about how you respond to adversity..

It just makes me miss the game that much more" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/eDzXcU6xUj

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 21, 2023

This is the competitive spirit in Rodgers, the part of him that loves playing football. A player who speaks like this is not ready to hang up the cleats. A player who feels guilty for getting injured doesn’t turn around and retire.

Now that the Jets are all but out of playoff contention (1% chance, per ESPN), perhaps Rodgers will slow down his rehab process. Taking his time to heal is still better for both him and the Jets. He’s still ahead of the normal healing curve, though.

Aaron Rodgers on the @PatMcAfeeShow:

* Confirmed that he'd like to start practicing around his birthday, Dec. 2, and that he sent a video to the #Jets of him jogging on an Alter G. He said he's "way ahead of common protocol" in his return from Achilles surgery.

* On Wilson's…

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 21, 2023

Overall, Rodgers’ most recent appearance with McAfee shows a somewhat different side of him: the side that cares about his teammates and feels responsibility for them. It’s a bright spot in an otherwise dismal time for the Jets’ franchise.