The New York Jets quarterback resumed practice on Monday. There is now a 21-day window after which the New York Jets will decide if Aaron Rodgers will return to the field in record time

Just eleven weeks after tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 1 and undergoing surgery, Aaron Rodgers is back on the practice field. The New York Jets’ star quarterback was cleared to practice on Monday, opening a 21-day training window for the 39-year-old.

After that, the Jets can decide whether to bring in their hopeful from the Injured Reserve List. The deadline is December 20, four days before the Jets’ game against the Washington Commanders. Rodgers has targeted the game on Christmas Eve for his comeback.

The comeback story of the quarterback, who celebrates his 40th birthday on Saturday, is already remarkable. “He’s already sacrificed so much for our team. That shows what kind of person he is,” praised Head Coach Robert Saleh.

But whether he will actually make it back onto the pitch this season is a completely different question

Coach Saleh says that QB Aaron Rodgers’ 21-day practice window will open today pic.twitter.com/kZSW9HFC9k

– New York Jets (@nyjets) November 29, 2023

Rodgers would break records with a comeback

The next few days will show how Rodgers reacts to the presumably initially light training load. By comparison, no NFL player has ever managed to play again sooner than five months after tearing his Achilles tendon.

Hopes of a timely comeback are also diminished by the fact that the Jets’ (4-7) chances of making the playoffs are now very slim. But that certainly won’t stop the eccentric superstar from working diligently towards his return.

Rodgers, who came to New York from Green Bay in a monster trade in the summer, will be sorely missed by the Jets. In his absence, he was initially replaced by Zach Wilson, who was then replaced by Tim Boyle.

But the two backup quarterbacks couldn’t prevent the Jets from losing their last four games in a row.