Tom Brady Fired Up by Aaron Rodgers' Comeback: 'Approach That Winners Take'

Tom Brady and New York Jets fans were both fired up about the same thing on Sunday.

Aaron Rodgers, not even five weeks removed from surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon, walked without crutches. He was throwing on the field at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, for nearly five minutes before a 20-14 upset Jets win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

The 39-year-old Jets quarterback has been open about his desire to play again this season. That would mean returning in under four months from an injury that is typically season-ending. But Brady would expect nothing less from a player of Rodgers' caliber.

"He's pretty determined to get back," Brady said Monday on his "Let's Go!" podcast. "I really appreciate that about Aaron. Some guys I think use injuries as an excuse not to play. And then I think the inspiring part for me when I see a guy like that is it shows you the love of the game he has. He doesn't want to miss anything for his teammates. And I had that feeling. All the great competitors want to be out there every single week.

"I played with a lot of guys who didn't want [to] — they had every reason to try and find a way out of a game and not to play," Brady added. "And Aaron is trying every way to try and get out on the field."

The Jets acquired Rodgers, a four-time MVP, from the Green Bay Packers in a blockbuster offseason trade. But months of Hard Knocks-fueled hype came to a halt on the fourth offensive play of the Jets season, when Rodgers was sacked and tore his left Achilles tendon.

Rodgers underwent surgery on September 13. The 10-time Pro Bowler has said how there is nothing normal about the aggressive way he is approaching rehab. During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show", Rodgers said rehabbing is his full-time job and that his entire focus is to do things that "haven't been done before."

That includes returning to the field this season.

"For the piece of mind, I think you have to have some sort of long-term goal like that," Rodgers said. "Otherwise, rehab becomes much more laborious and monotonous... Let's attack this rehab as hard as we can and see where we're at in a couple months. Obviously, I'd like us to be alive and winning and for that even to be in the conversation.

"I don't think it hurts at all to put that into the manifestation," Rodgers added.

Rodgers returned to MetLife Stadium for the first time after his injury to watch a Jets loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on October 1. But the QB stayed on the field for the most-recent Gang Green performance. Rodgers, wearing regular sneakers, remained on the sideline for Sunday's game, donning a headset that allowed him to communicate with assistant coaches.

That is not common practice for players fresh from surgery. But Rodgers was cleared to be on the sideline by the Jets medical staff, according to ESPN. And his team was happy to have him.

"What he's doing is absolutely ridiculous," Jets coach Robert Saleh said of Rodgers Tuesday on NFL Network. "I wouldn't put anything past him. He's all about manifestation. I think he's fueled by doubt. He's on a mission. We're leaving the door open for him."

The Jets dropped three straight games from Weeks 2 to 4 without Rodgers. But a win over the Eagles has the New York team back at .500. If Rodgers can return to the field at some point this season, the Jets would still need to be in playoff contention to make it worth the risk.

Brady, the former New England Patriots QB responsible for so many Jets losses, is rooting for that to happen.

"Hopefully, his team is still in it if he does have a chance," Brady said. "I know it's a tough battle and it's an incredible injury that he's trying to come back from. But I appreciate his effort. That's the approach that winners take. Get back in the fight with their buddies. These are your friends. These are your comrades. These are the guys you're out there going to battle with. I think they have a great appreciation for what he's trying to do too, which is the best part about it."