Johnathan Walker:Jets eliminated from playoffs for 13th straight year, dealing blow to Aaron Rodgers return

MIAMI GARDENS,Johnathan Walker Fla. — Aaron Rodgers’ chances to play during the 2023 season have taken a final blow.

The New York Jets were shutout in their 30-0 loss to the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, and eliminated from the playoffs after the wins by the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on Sunday.

The Jets have not reached the playoffs in 13 seasons, the longest stretch for any NFL, NBA, MLB or NHL franchise. The Jets last reached the postseason in 2010, with head coach Rex Ryan and QB Mark Sanchez at the helm.

“It’s disappointing,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “Starting from the first series of the year all the way to now, it’s been a constant battle. I do appreciate the heck out of our guys. We still have three games left to finish strong.”

The Jets have fallen to 5-9 with games against the Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots remaining.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

And they’ll be playing for pride at this point.

They'll likely do so without Rodgers, who tore his Achilles in the season opener on Sept. 11 and returned to practice on Nov. 29. Rodgers must be activated off injured reserve by Wednesday to join the Jets’ 53-man roster in order to play this season.

With no meaningful games left to play, Rodgers may turn his focus to next season.

“There’s no discussion to be had until he’s actually cleared,” Saleh said of Rodgers after the Dolphins game.

Could Rodgers return next week?

ESPN reported Friday Rodgers could be medically cleared to play this upcoming week, with an eye toward the Jets’ game next Sunday against the Washington Commanders.

ESPN and NFL Network reported Rodgers might not play, but he would be on the Jets’ active roster as a potential backup quarterback.

Rodgers has progressed significantly during his return, while Saleh said he practiced under center and jogged from one drill to another in the past week.

“I’m getting better, improving. Still some things I gotta do in order to be cleared,” Rodgers said Tuesday during the Pat McAfee Show. “But I’ve done some limited practice the last couple of weeks and done some 7-on-7 stuff at the end of practice.”

Saleh added on Friday: “I mean, it looks normal to me, but it's unbelievable. … This dude is grinding to try to get himself back. It shows how much he cares, and I have an appreciation for him.”

What has been Rodgers’ motivation to return so quickly?

If Rodgers did return from his Achilles tear to play roughly three months after his injury, it would be unprecedented.

But why has Rodgers been so inspired?

“Why?” Rodgers said on Nov. 30. “Do you know my history? It’s never been a ‘why try?’ It’s, 'why not?'”

Rodgers added: “From Sept. 12 on, my goal was to come back to the practice field and try to play. Obviously, that was contingent on my health and also our team being in position to make a run.”

Rodgers’ return will likely be a moot point with the Jets eliminated from playoff contention.