Aaron Rodgers ready to 'let loose' as he works to get more comfortable in return from Achilles injury
The Jets lost 32-19 to the 49ers Monday
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Monday night, Aaron Rodgers took the field as the New York Jets' quarterback for only the second time in two seasons.
Last season, the four-time NFL MVP suffered a season-ending Achilles tear on his fourth snap of the season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
After a year of rehab, the 40-year-old stepped back onto the field against the San Francisco 49ers almost a year to the day after the Achilles tear.
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up before a game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Jets lost 32-19 to the 49ers Monday night despite the absence of star 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey due to a calf injury.
Rodgers discussed how his body felt during and after the game on an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Yeah, my body held up," he said. "I feel like I'm gonna keep on getting more comfortable out there.
"Meaning the more I play, the more potential for scrambles could happen with each game, where I get even more confident and really let loose. But I feel 100% [confident]. It's just maybe I can do a little bit more every single week."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the second half of a game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Before the game, the quarterback reflected on his journey to getting back on the field.
"It's such a long road. I thought about all the different things that happened over the last year," he said of his thoughts early in the game. "Tomorrow is a year since the injury. A lot's changed in my life in the last year. So, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
"Just a lot of things were hitting me — [my] 20th season, all the rehab that happened, all the ups and downs of the last year."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Rodgers threw for 167 yards and connected with old Green Bay Packers teammate Allen Lazard for a touchdown. He also threw an interception in the third quarter.
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks on the field after a game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Rodgers was asked how his Achilles felt.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I actually felt good, and I only took two shots," he said. "I took a hit from an interior guy. I got sacked one time — that was it. I felt like the pass protection was very nice all night, and I feel like I’m gonna keep getting more comfortable out there."
The Jets travel to face the Tennessee Titans Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
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