Kirk Cousins makes Aaron Rodgers prediction amid New York Jets trade rumours

15 September 2023 , 14:43

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Kirk Cousins thinks that Aaron Rodgers will be back to his best next season (Image: 2018 Hannah Foslien)

Kirk Cousins has backed Aaron Rodgers to be back to his best by next year after the New York Jets star suffered a season-ending injury.

After months of excitement over in New Jersey and across the NFL, Aaron Rodgers finally made his debut for the Jets on Monday night. Rodgers traded from the Green Bay Packers this past offseason, and was given his official heroes welcome at MetLife Stadium as the Jets faced the Buffalo Bills.

Unfortunately disaster struck, as Rodgers' debut lasted just four minutes as he suffered a torn Achilles after being sacked by Leonard Floyd. He's now on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery, and the procedure "went great" according to Rodgers who posted an update on social media.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh has declared Zach Wilson will be their quarterback for the season, putting to bed any rumours of an emergency trade for now. But looking beyond this season Cousins believes the Jets fans will be able to enjoy Rodgers at the franchise, they'll just have to wait.

The Minnesota Vikings lost 34-28 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football, even though Cousins went 31 for 44, 364 yards and four touchdowns. It was a brilliant start to Week 2 as Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scored two rushing touchdowns himself, but Rodgers was still a major talking point.

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Cousins is facing his first season at the Vikings without having Rodgers as a divisional rival, and made a positive prediction about his return when being asked about the injury. "We know the realities of playing this position," Cousins said after the game. "Every time you step out there you're always one play away from things changing, you know that. I guess it's just a reminder but we don't really need a reminder because we know it.

Cousins reacted to Rodgers' injury after Thursday Night Football

"NFL really stands for 'Not For Long' and you have to fight and work and grind to make sure you're still out there. Even coming back from this injury he's going to fight and work to make sure he's back next year. That's the case for all of us and it's an unfortunate deal. I expect to see him back in a Jet uniform next year, playing at high level, but it's a tough deal."

In the meantime, the Jets head coach has faith in Wilson to steer the ship while Rodgers is out. "We are going to look through some things, but I do want to make it very clear: Zach's our quarterback," Saleh said. "We got a lot of faith in Zach, we're really excited about his opportunity. But we're rolling with Zach and excited for him and, like I said, this opportunity that he's going to get."

Joseph McBride