Jets' Saleh would be 'shocked' if Rodgers retires after Achilles injury

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Wednesday that he hasn't had discussions about Aaron Rodgers' future, but he would be surprised if the four-time NFL MVP retires following his season-ending injury.

"I haven't gone down that road with him," Saleh said, according to SNY. "I'd be shocked if this is the way he's gonna go out. But at the same time for him, he's working through a whole lot of things that he needs to deal with. That will be the last thing I talk to him about."

Rodgers, 39, tore his left Achilles tendon four snaps into his highly anticipated Jets debut on Monday. New York acquired the 10-time Pro Bowler as part of a blockbuster trade from the Green Bay Packers during the offseason after he started 223 games and spent 18 seasons with Green Bay.

Rodgers' injury is a big blow to the Jets' 2023 aspirations and leaves the team with Zach Wilson as QB1. Wilson has failed to live up to the hype since being drafted second overall in 2021, but Saleh remains optimistic about the 24-year-old.

"We believe we have a really good football team," Saleh said. "Like I've said before, we've got a championship defense, we've got great skill guys on offense, got an O-line that is continuing to jell, and we've got a lot of faith in Zach.

"People forget he was 5-1 before the bye week (in 2022) and before half the offense was decimated with injuries."

Wilson didn't play the first three games of last season due to injury. He won four of New York's first five games after returning, but he couldn't hang onto the starting role for the entire season due to more injuries and inconsistent play.

Despite boasting a solid defense, the Jets - who started three different quarterbacks in 2022 - lost their final six games of the campaign and missed the playoffs for the 12th straight year.

Wilson entered Monday's game after Rodgers went down and completed 14 of 21 pass attempts for 140 yards and one touchdown against one interception, helping the Jets claim a dramatic overtime win against the Buffalo Bills.

New York's quarterback depth chart also features Tim Boyle. Saleh said that the club plans to add another passer, but the third-year head coach isn't sure when it'll happen.

"This isn't Madden. ... Zach and Tim, those are our two guys," Saleh said, according to Dennis Waszak Jr. of The Associated Press.

The Jets visit the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2.