The Jets got the news they were expecting but dreading Tuesday morning.
An MRI exam confirmed quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a torn left Achilles tendon that will require season-ending surgery, a source confirmed.
The Jets’ dream season has turned into a nightmare.
Rodgers was injured on his fourth play against the Bills on Monday night when Buffalo defensive end Leonard Floyd sacked him.
Slow motion replays showed a pop in Rodgers calf as the Achilles ruptured. Rodgers initially got up and limped a few steps. He then seemed to realize what happened and sat down on the field.
Trainers helped him to the blue medical tent on the sideline and a cart then took him to the locker room. Rodgers had a walking boot on as he was carted to the X-Ray room. Jets coach Robert Saleh said after the game the team feared it was Rodgers’ Achilles and the tests Tuesday confirmed that.
It is a stunning end to Rodgers’ season after months of anticipation.
Jets fans have been dreaming of seeing Rodgers in their uniform since the winter when speculation began the team would try to trade for him.
That anticipation grew when the Jets brass flew to California to meet with Rodgers and he then went on “The Pat McAfee Show” and said he intended to play for the Jets.
Weeks of prolonged trade talks between the Jets and Packers created drama. The teams finally completed the trade in late April.
From Rodgers’ opening press conference when he talked about adding a Lombardi Trophy to go with the 1968 trophy through “Hard Knocks” this summer, everything seemed right about the Jets and Rodgers.
The crescendo came Monday night when he was introduced to a raucous crowd at MetLife Stadium. Rodgers ran onto the field with an American flag as rapper Method Man called out his name and pyrotechnics went off.
The joy of that moment crashed minutes later as Rodgers sat on the turf at MetLife.
The Jets will now turn back to Zach Wilson, the 2021 No. 2 overall pick who cratered last season as the starter, leading to the Jets’ pursuit of Rodgers.