Saleh: Aaron Rodgers 'Wants to Play' Despite Jets Being Eliminated from Playoff Race

Although the New York Jets were officially eliminated from the playoffs after falling to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Aaron Rodgers is still attempting to make his return.

"Aaron wants to play," head coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Monday, per ESPN's Rich Cimini.

Rodgers must be activated off IR by Wednesday if he's going to play this season, although NFL Network's Ian Rapoport wrote on Saturday that the Jets' clash with the Dolphins "could go a long way" in determining if he'll take the field before the 2024 season.

The four-time MVP was cleared to practice on Nov. 29 and ESPN's Adam Schefter revealed on Saturday that he will likely be medically cleared to play "this upcoming week." However, there's some unnecessary risk involving Rodgers' long-term health if he were to rush his return with the Jets already out of playoff contention. The 40-year-old quarterback discussed it on Dec. 2.

"A comeback this year before the four-month mark would mean I'm not 100% healthy, so it would be a risk for myself and team to sign off on," he said, via Eric Allen of newyorkjets.com. "If we are out of it, I would be surprised if they OK'd that to come back."

However, it appears that Rodgers still has his sights set on returning before the end of the regular season after undergoing Achilles surgery following an injury on New York's first drive of the season. The Jets' top decision-makers could overrule his desire to play, with Rapoport writing on Dec. 3 that "it's appearing unlikely that Rodgers plays in a game at all this season."

The Jets' offensive line has allowed 61 sacks this year, the second-highest mark in the NFL. It would be reckless to put Rodgers behind a subpar line when he's not 100 percent healthy instead of simply waiting for the 2024 season.