Aaron Rodgers Voted Most Inspirational Jets Player by Teammates After Injury Rehab

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers may not have been on the field with the New York Jets this season, but he was everywhere from the sidelines to his teammates' headsets.

That led the Jets to vote him the most inspirational player of 2023, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.

Rodgers, who tore his Achilles tendon on the fourth snap of his Jets career, returned to practice 11 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair the injury.

Jets left tackle Duane Brown called Rodgers' recovery "inspiring," per Cimini.

"That's one of the most difficult injuries to come back from," Brown said. "To see his recovery, even without being on the field, has been remarkable. And the attitude he has— I'm sure the day-to-day isn't easy, but he doesn't complain about it... It's inspiring, it's motivating, and it's unprecedented."

While recovering from his injury, Rodgers had "basically become a part-time member of the coaching staff," according to The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt and Dianna Russini.

The quarterback was an "active voice" on players' headsets on Oct. 15 during the Jets' comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Rosenblatt.

This annual team award has been given out since 1992 in honor after the late Dennis Byrd, the former Jets defensive end who suffered a broken neck while playing for the Jets in 1992.

Other recent winners include linebacker CJ Mosley, defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi and running back Frank Gore.