Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh Talks Aaron Rodgers' Future

Just four snaps into the first Monday Night Football game of the season, all-star quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down on the field, holding the back of his leg and around his ankle. After being helped off the field, Rodgers was seen being carted off while in a boot, leaving NFL fans everywhere in complete shock.

Aside from the incredible game and pulling out a win in overtime, the Jets locker room was still down as they anticipated their all-star quarterback suffered from a torn Achilles. Unfortunately, an MRI confirmed that news Tuesday morning.

"An MRI confirmed today that Aaron Rodgers officially tore his Achilles on the fourth play of his Jets' career," Schefter reported Tuesday. "Rodgers' season now, officially, is over. There already are questions about whether his Hall-of-Fame career is, too."

With Rodgers's age, many fear he may not recover the same, meaning the torn Achilles could lead to the end of his football career. Although the future Hall of Famer has yet to speak about the devastating injury, Jets head coach Robert Saleh says he would be "shocked" if this is how Rodgers' career ended.

"I haven't gone down that road with him. I mean, I'd be shocked if this is the way he's going to go out," Saleh said Wednesday. "But at the same time, for him … he's working through many headspace things that he needs to deal with, and that will be the last thing I talk to him about."

Aaron Rodgers has yet to release a statement himself, though the Jets head coach spoke in a press conference yesterday, admitting Rodgers is upset about the outcome. "He's down," Saleh said via a live stream on YouTube. "As you can imagine, with everything that he's invested and lasting four plays, he's a little disappointed."

The Jets head coach also spoke out, admitting he hopes Rodgers still sticks around the club to help mentor and coach quarterback Zach Wilson, who will be taking over the starting position.

"I think it's essential," the coach said. "I think it's important for him. Mental health and healing, I think that's very important. But his presence, his words… As I said, he's as much a football coach as a player, and just having his presence, thoughts, words, and leadership, I think anyone would want that."

Hours after the devastating news broke, fans immediately thought the New York Jets season was done — but head coach Robert Saleh says otherwise.

"I don't know why people are trying to put an obituary onto our team name," Saleh said via a YouTube live. "Aaron is an unbelievable piece to this whole thing, and we love him, but I think there are 52 other guys in the locker room, plus the 16-practice squad guys who believe we can do many good things here."

He continued, "We've got a championship-caliber defense. We've got great-skill guys on the offensive side of the ball. Our offensive line is continuing to gel and get better. We're excited about our group. We've worked hard over the last couple of years with players, coaches, scouts, and G.M., building a pretty cool organization, so there's a lot of faith in the locker room on what we can still accomplish this year. While the outside world can go ahead and write whatever story they want, there's still the true story being written in this building."

Quarterback Zach Wilson finished the game on Monday night and is expected to become the new starting quarterback now that Rodgers is out.

"I don't think there's anything to say," Saleh said. "It sounds cliché, but it's next man up," he said. "Nobody cares. Nobody cares that you've lost a player. Sunday's coming."