Aaron Rodgers tells doubters he’s ready to prove them wrong in his return from injury. 5 takeaways from interview on ‘Pat McAfee Show’

Aaron Rodgers certainly doesn’t sound like someone who will let the Achilles injury he suffered Monday be the last time he steps onto an NFL field.

The former Green Bay Packers quarterback appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” Friday afternoon for his first public comments after he tore his Achilles in his first game with the New York Jets.

Rodgers expressed how it was an emotional night after the injury because he “knew right away this wasn’t a good situation” but also will look to prove any doubters wrong as he begins the recovery process and likely return.

Here are five takeaways from the interview:

Aaron Rodgers ready to prove doubters wrong during his recovery from his torn Achilles

For anyone saying this is the end of Aaron Rodgers, think again.

Rodgers, who will turn 40 in December, has built a career on playing with a chip on his shoulder since he was overlooked in the 2005 NFL draft and is someone who uses any slight to try to silence critics who question him on and off the field.

For all of those people doubting him again, he has a message.

“Give me the doubts,” Rodgers said. “Give me the timetables, give me all the things can, should or will happen because all I need is that one little extra percentage of inspiration.

“Give me your doubts, give me your prognostications and watch me go.”

Recovery from a torn Achilles can vary by person but it typically takes between four to six months to return to activities but, after therapies, a full recovery is usually a year.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles surgery and also repaired his broken clavicle in 2017

Rodgers had surgery two days after the injury on the West Coast because he didn’t want to “waste any time” in his likely comeback.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the surgery Wednesday in Los Angeles, also worked on his broken collarbone in 2017, Rodgers said.

Rodgers explained he actually texted ElAttrache from the Jets’ locker room Monday to see how quickly they could set up the surgery.

“Every day that we wasted was a day longer for me not doing what I want to do,” Rodgers said.

Aaron Rodgers is doing his research on his recover and ‘anything is possible’ for his return timetable

Rodgers wouldn’t share full details about his recovery plan — “we’ll keep some of things we’re doing tight to the vest” — but he made one thing clear: his recovery and timeline for recovery is “going to shock some people.”

Rodgers said there’s a process to the recovery but “there’s been some guys with interesting timetables with returns.”

Is he looking to be the fastest player to ever return from such an injury?

“As Kevin Garnett said, ‘Anything is possible,'” Rodgers said when asked if there would be a way for him to return this season.

However, he did offer a more measured response, in understanding the severity of the injury.

“It doesn’t do anything to make prognostications, honestly, other than help my own personal mental state,” Rodgers added. “I’m going to try to push this thing as much as I can.”

Rodgers isn’t able to put any weight on his left Achilles and is on crutches.

Rodgers fires back shots: Former Packers quarterback calls Newsmax’s Greg Kelly, podcaster Keith Olbermann bums

The four-time MVP said he’s been consulting with people who have suffered the same injury and is doing a lot of “research” on the recovery.

“I’m drawing from all these different kinds of sources,” Rodgers explained.

One thing Rodgers made a point to say he won’t be doing during his recovery is ayahuasca, the plant-based psychedelic drug he has used several times while in Peru in recent offseasons.

“My entire focus is acquiring the most information and adding to my rehab plan,” Rodgers said.

Aaron Rodgers was sobbing in the Jets locker room after the injury

Rodgers appeared rejuvenated upon his arrival in New York and ready for a fresh start after 18 years in Green Bay. But four plays into this next chapter, it’s over for the time being.

That’s why, he said, the suddenness of the injury led to so much sadness.

“I was pretty emotional,” Rodgers said in the immediate aftermath.

He added that it was especially tough seeing longtime teammate Randall Cobb, who has joined Rodgers in New York this season, after the injury.

“When Cobby walked in, I kind of lost it,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers didn’t hold back his emotions.

“I’m thankful for the tears because it makes you feel alive,” he said. “I care about it so much. I just care about it so much, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Sobbing.”

Rodgers said “underneath, there was a lot of anger” because of how much he put into getting ready for this season.

“Thankful for the emotions,” he added. “Once I got to L.A., the sun started to rise. There was some life starting to open up.”

Aaron Rodgers was especially looking forward to the Jets’ Week 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys

The Jets’ schedule provided some enticing early season matchups for Rodgers. One of them was against Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 on the road.

Rodgers has had tremendous success over the years at Cowboys Stadium/AT&T Stadium, home of the Cowboys. It’s where Rodgers and the Packers won the Super Bowl in 2011.

Plus, seeing McCarthy, who coached him in Green Bay from 2005 to 2018, would have been noteworthy again. Rodgers led a huge comeback victory last year for the Packers against the Cowboys at Lambeau Field.

“I was looking forward to that, just the love I shared with Mike last year, getting to see him at home,” Rodgers said. Plus, Rodgers mentioned he’s “played pretty well at that stadium over the years.”

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Aaron Rodgers on Pat McAfee Show: ‘Give me your doubts, watch me go’