McAfee: Aaron Rodgers, Jets Practice Video Was About Blisters, Not Achilles Injury

On Wednesday, video surfaced online showing Aaron Rodgers getting work done on his feet during the team's practice. That, of course, led to frenzied speculation on the internet that it might have something to do with the Achilles tear that ended his 2023 season.

Calm down, everyone.

Pat McAfee—who regularly has Rodgers on his daily show as a guest—said Thursday that a "source" told him it was simply the veteran quarterback dealing with blisters and nothing more:

Obviously, any potential injury to Rodgers is going to be greeted with scrutiny and plenty of concern in New York after his Achilles tear. The Jets went from being preseason Super Bowl contenders to an absolute calamity on offense without him, finishing 31st in yards (268.6 YPG) and 29th in scoring (15.8 PPG).

The team ultimately finished 7-10, largely on the back of an elite defense, while shuffling through Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian and Tim Boyle at quarterback. All were disasters.

Perhaps if the Jets had signed an old friend in Joe Flacco they might have fared a bit better. Flacco was a midseason signing from the Cleveland Browns to address their own quarterback woes due to injury, and promptly went 4-1 as the starter, leading the team to the playoffs.

Granted, Flacco was hardly elite, finishing the regular season with 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 1,616 yards and a 60.3 completion percentage.

But Wilson, Siemian and Boyle combined to throw 11 touchdowns and 15 interceptions across 17 games last season. Flacco would have been an enormous upgrade, which is more a stinging rebuke of New York's quarterback play than an endorsement of Flacco.

Rodgers, meanwhile, is a four-time MVP, one-time champion and 10-time Pro Bowler who has led his team to 12 playoff berths. He's also 40, putting him at greater risk of injuries at this stage in his career.

So yes, Jets fans have some lingering dread that is likely triggered seeing Rodgers on the ground, getting work done on his foot and ankle area. But this one was much ado about nothing.