Jets' Robert Saleh shares if Aaron Rodgers could retire after injury

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh believes quarterback Aaron Rodgers will attempt to return next season from the torn Achilles Rodgers suffered during what became Monday's overtime win over the Buffalo Bills. 

"I'd be shocked if this is the way he's going to go out," Saleh said about Rodgers while speaking with reporters on Wednesday, as shared by Rich Cimini of ESPN. 

Rodgers turns 40 years old in December and, per Saleh, is "trying to figure out what his next best move is" as it pertains to addressing his serious injury. Saleh added that the future Hall of Famer is "working through a whole lot of headspace things that he needs to deal with" and said the two haven't yet discussed Rodgers' plans beyond this season. 

Rodgers accepted a massive pay cut earlier this summer so the Jets could add talent on both sides of the ball amid their pursuit of a Super Bowl title during his tenure that was set to run through at least the 2024 campaign before Monday's events. It's unknown how Rodgers will recover from what can be a career-threatening injury for any athlete, let alone one approaching his 40th birthday. 

Saleh confirmed Tuesday that previously demoted quarterback Zach Wilson will start for the Jets until further notice, beginning with this Sunday's game at the 1-0 Dallas Cowboys. Wilson and Rodgers both spoke before the season about the close relationship they built over the past handful of months, and Saleh indicated the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player will eventually return to the team facility to mentor the second overall pick of the 2021 draft. 

"I think it's very important," Saleh explained about Rodgers spending time with teammates as an inactive participant. "It's important for him. For him, I think it's the mental health and healing. I think that's very important. But his presence, his words. ... I said he's as much a football coach as he is a player. Just having his presence, his thoughts, his words and his leadership, anybody would want."

The Jets reportedly won't add either Tom Brady or Colin Kaepernick to the roster after Rodgers' injury but could look into acquiring veteran Ryan Tannehill if the Tennessee Titans become sellers before the Oct. 31 trade deadline.