### Aaron Rodgers Looks to Defy the Odds at 40 in Year 2 with the Jets
**By Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer**
*Sep 9, 2024, 03:30 PM*
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — "Watch this," New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said early in training camp, giving his defense a heads-up. Feeling playful, he called his shot, then delivered a no-look pass on the run to wide receiver Garrett Wilson—just one of the many moments that left his teammates in awe.
"It was one of those, 'Dang, he’s still got some tricks up his sleeve,'" recalled linebacker Quincy Williams, reflecting on Rodgers’ ability to impress even at 40.
Rodgers has spent the last year defying expectations, intent on showing the world that age is just a number. The NFL’s oldest active player is returning from a torn left Achilles, determined to do what no one else has—prove he can still perform at the highest level.
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Rodgers’ much-anticipated return comes Monday night (8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN/ESPN+) against the San Francisco 49ers, 364 days after his devastating injury, which occurred on the fourth snap of the 2023 season. Rodgers even hinted that he might offer the cameras "a little smirk" after his fourth snap this time around before getting back to business.
"I think you always have something to prove," Rodgers said. "It just changes who you're proving it to as you get older."
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**Making History Again**
When Rodgers takes the field, he’ll join an exclusive club. According to ESPN Stats & Information, he will become the 22nd quarterback in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to attempt a pass after turning 40. But only five of those quarterbacks—Tom Brady, Warren Moon, Vinny Testaverde, Drew Brees, and Brett Favre—started at least 10 games after reaching that milestone.
Zoom in further: Only Brady and Brees had winning records in their age-41 seasons or beyond. Rodgers, who turns 41 on Dec. 2, is attempting to join that elite group, all while returning from an injury that has ended careers.
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**The Legacy at Stake**
Rodgers' Achilles tear, which sidelined him after just four plays in Week 1 of 2023, is one of the most infamous injuries in sports history. His legacy now hinges on his comeback. He has the chance to join Brady and Peyton Manning as the only quarterbacks to win Super Bowls with two different teams. Despite already amassing historic stats—he needs just 945 more yards to join the 60,000-yard passing club—critics still point to his lone Super Bowl ring.
The Jets, who haven’t won a championship in 55 years, are banking on Rodgers to change that.
"Things can fall off quickly at the end of a career," former Packers teammate John Kuhn said. "But if he has any magic left, the motivation he has right now will be the strongest he’s ever had."
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**The Challenges Ahead**
Warren Moon, who thrived in his 40s with a 25-touchdown, 3,678-yard season at age 41, believes Rodgers' success will depend more on his legs than his arm. "He still has that pop on his ball," Moon said, but added, "The real test will be whether he can avoid danger like he used to. His ability to make plays outside the pocket—that’s what starts to fade."
Rodgers’ comeback is the talk of the NFL, and as he prepares to step back onto the field, the world is watching to see if he can once again defy the odds.