Aaron Rodgers won't return to Jets this season

Aaron Rodgers spent the last three-and-a-half months doing everything possible to return from a torn Achilles tendon quicker than any professional athlete. He’s no longer pushing to be cleared to play again this season.

But Rodgers, 40, will be back next year and he said it won’t be his final one with the Jets.

Rodgers conceded during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he is not 100% healthy after tearing his left Achilles tendon in Week 1. Rodgers said he would have been willing to play if the Jets were in the playoff race, but the Jets (5-9) were eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday.

“The whole time it’s been hoping that we’re still in it because it was unrealistic to think that I would be a hundred percent to be medically cleared at any point during the regular season,” Rodgers said Tuesday. “I do feel like in the next three to four weeks it would be very possible to get to 100 percent, but obviously not there.”

Rodgers said it “would be an absolute no-brainer” for him to play in a first-round playoff game if the Jets got there without him. He also said he would “be definitely pushing to play” if he was 100% medically cleared, regardless of the Jets' record.

“The fact is I’m not,” Rodgers said. “I’ve been working hard to get close to that. Being medically cleared as 100 percent healed is not realistic at 14 weeks.”

Rodgers had targeted the Christmas Eve game against the Washington Commanders as his possible return. It was always a long shot, especially because of the Jets’ record. They have lost six of their last seven.

The deadline for the Jets to activate Rodgers from injured reserve is Wednesday. If they do, it would be to allow him to continue practicing with the team.

“I’m not going to slow my rehab down, I’m going to keep attacking it every single day,” Rodgers said. “Now without a timetable to come back, we can be as smart as we need to be.”

Rodgers believes “the future is very bright” for the Jets and the lofty goals they had heading into this season will carry over to 2024 and beyond.

He said his plan was always to play at least two years when he came to the Jets. Rodgers considers this “a lost year” since he played just four snaps.

“[I] wasn’t able to go out there and prove what I’m capable of and see what we’re capable of as a team,” Rodgers said. “I don’t think next year will be my last year.”

Rodgers wants to run it back with a lot of the same players, coaches and executives.

“I believe in the leadership we have here,” he said. “I believe in our guys. This is not a situation where we have to rebuild. We need to reload a little bit.”

Rodgers showed strong support for general manager Joe Douglas, coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

All three have been heavily criticized. There’s been speculation that Douglas and Saleh could be on shaky ground. Saleh’s job security came into question after the Jets were badly outplayed and outschemed in Sunday’s 30-0 loss in Miami.

Saleh said on Monday he’s not concerned about his job.

“I’m just coaching to try to beat Washington,” Saleh said.

Getting a loud endorsement from a very important and influential voice surely will help Saleh and Douglas.

“I believe in Joe Douglas,” Rodgers said. “I think he’s put together a lot of great drafts and a great roster. We had a number of difficult injuries this season. I believe in Robert Saleh. He’s a fantastic coach. He’s about the right stuff. What you emphasize you’re going to get. I think he emphasizes the right things, being about the right stuff, how to be professional. I believe in Nate Hackett. Always have. I think the offense that he runs is quarterback friendly.”

Rodgers said the offense was “geared around me,” and added that the instability and inconsistent play at quarterback and the injuries across the offensive line were insurmountable for the Jets.

“I would wager to guess things would look a little bit different with some consistency in guys staying healthy up front and me playing quarterback,” he said. “I look forward to showing that next year.”

The season opened with such hope and an electric atmosphere at MetLife Stadium for the Monday night game against the Bills on Sept. 11. Rodgers received a deafening ovation when he ran onto the field carrying the American flag. Rodgers promised to make more positive memories for Jets fans.

“We’re going to have more moments like that,” he said. “That won’t be the lasting image that you see of me in a Jets jersey. There’s going to be a lot more amazing things to come. The night is darkest before the dawn. We’re going to rise again and it’s going to be exciting.”

Two-minute drill

Defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. He left Sunday's game after injuring his hip. . . . The Jets signed defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes to the active roster, and signed defensive lineman Stephen Jones and running back Jacques Patrick to the practice squad.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.