The 2024 NFL season is less than two weeks away; all eyes will be on a select few quarterbacks returning to the gridiron after missing the previous season with an injury. Aaron Rodgers, Joe Burrow, Kirk Cousins, Deshaun Watson, and then-rookie Colts QB Anthony Richardson combined for 55 missed games in 2023. As fans, analysts, and players alike await the return of these star QBs, what impact will they have on their respective teams in the 2024 season? The spotlight will shine on veteran QB Aaron Rodgers as he makes his second official debut for the Jets on Monday, September 9, for the opening weekend of Monday Night Football.
New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers' Achilles tear was the first major news story of the 2023 NFL season after going down in the Jets' season opener on September 11 against the Bills. The four-time NFL MVP played four snaps in his Jets debut before being sidelined for the remainder of the 2023 season.
This is probably the clearest video of Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles injury. You can clearly see it….
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 12, 2023
(🎥 @ACLrecoveryCLUB)
pic.twitter.com/KFS3hZEQGV https://t.co/hbXnIKBQbA
Rodger's injury impacted the Jets' who were forced to put their faith in now-Denver Broncos QB Zach Wilson, who was selected No. 2 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft to the Jets. Wilson, who played 12 games in 2023, threw for his second 2,000+ passing yard season, throwing for eight touchdowns and completing 60.1% of his passes, a career-high. However, Wilson and New York's backup QB Trevor Siemian combined for a 7-10 record, finishing third in the AFC East behind the Bills and the Dolphins. Wilson will likely fill the Broncos' second-string QB role behind Bo Nix, the No. 12 pick out of Oregon in the 2024 NFL draft.
Due to the Jets' season being derailed by Rodgers' shocking injury in Week 1, subsequent star players such as Jets' wide receiver Garrett Wilson did not have the breakout season many expected him to have with Rodgers. While the former No. 10 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft did record his second 1,000+ yard receiving season in 2023, it is unclear how high Wilson's ceiling is since he has only played under Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian, Mike White, and Joe Flacco. While Flacco won a Superbowl in 2012 with the Baltimore Ravens, he was far out of his prime when Wilson caught passes from him in 2022. Due to the history of the Jets' quarterbacks, Garret Wilson has only caught seven career touchdown passes in two years. He caught four touchdowns in his rookie year in 2022 and could not reach a new record in 2023 when he caught only three touchdowns.
This ROUTE by Garrett Wilson 😳
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) August 22, 2024
Many NFL scouts reportedly believe Wilson will elevate to a “Top-5” WR with Rodgers returning this season.
Braelon Allen (Jets RB) said Wilson is the “best football player” he’s ever seen.
The Jets have one of the best WR1’s in the league. pic.twitter.com/6KMnYNBBkd
Zach Wilson, Siemian, and White have a combined 39-52 career record in the NFL, under .500, compared to Rodgers, who has a 151-79 career win/loss record and a .653 winning percentage. Rodgers has a history of bringing out fantastic talent in his former wide receivers in Green Bay, such as Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, James Jones, Greg Jennings, and Davante Adams. All five of these former Packers receivers have recorded 5,000+ receiving yards catching passes from Rodgers, with Nelson and Adams each capturing 7,000+ receiving yards under Rodgers' tenure.
Will Aaron Rodgers be able to turn Garrett Wilson into another standout wide receiver during the tail end of his historic career? Wilson has all the key ingredients to become an elite pass catcher and scorer. With the return of Rodgers' right arm and healed Achilles, is it possible that 2024 will be Wilson's breakout season?
