FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers revealed his desire to return to the practice field in two weeks, setting his sights on his upcoming birthday. Rodgers, who recently underwent surgery on his left Achilles, expressed his goal during his weekly appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show."

Confirming a report from Fox Sports, Rodgers stated that he would "love to be trending towards practicing by my birthday." The star quarterback turns 40 on December 2, making December 6 a potential date for opening his 21-day practice window. This timeline would give Rodgers three weeks to prepare for the Jets' December 24 game against the Washington Commanders, which he has unofficially targeted as his return game.

Throughout his recovery, Rodgers has consistently emphasized that his return is dependent on the Jets' chances of contention. With the team currently holding a 4-6 record and going through a three-game losing streak, their playoff hopes appear dim. Nevertheless, Rodgers remains optimistic, pointing to previous teams like the 2016 Green Bay Packers and the 2009 New York Jets, who rallied from a 4-6 record to reach the NFC and AFC Championship Games, respectively.

While the Jets may be struggling on the field, Rodgers is fully committed to his rehabilitation. When asked if he has slowed down his rehab efforts, Rodgers emphatically denied it, stating, "No, not at all...The speed at which I'm doing the rehab has been the same from the beginning - push it as hard as we can every single day."

Jets coach Robert Saleh reiterated that Rodgers has the green light to play once he is medically cleared. However, Saleh dismissed the speculation surrounding Rodgers' return as a "moot point" until the doctors give their approval.

Rodgers, who is now in the tenth week of his recovery since surgery, revealed that he is jogging on an Alter G treadmill. He even sent a video of his jog to the Jets' personnel to keep them updated on his progress. From his rehab facility in Los Angeles, he stated, "I like to keep in touch with the guys and let them know what my progress is."

While making progress, Rodgers acknowledged that he still needs to work on building strength in his heel and calf. However, he emphasized that his rehab is far ahead of the common protocol, thanks in part to the jogging exercises. Rodgers noted that his jogging has significantly improved his strength and accelerated the overall rehabilitation process.

Rodgers expects to rejoin the team later this week as the Jets prepare to face the first-place Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium in the NFL's first-ever Black Friday game. The Jets' young quarterback Zach Wilson was benched in their recent game, and Rodgers expressed sympathy for the rookie, stating, "I love Zach. Zach's such a great kid and I do think he still has a bright future in the league."

Reflecting on his own injury, Rodgers admitted to feeling "personal guilt" for not being able to play and the impact it has had on the team. He was injured on the fourth play of the season, leading to Wilson's promotion. However, Rodgers remains determined to contribute to the team's success upon his return and believes that there is enough blame to go around for their struggles.

As Rodgers continues his rehabilitation and targets a return to practice, the Jets will await his medical clearance eagerly, hoping for a much-needed boost to their season.