How Aaron Rodgers could return to Lambeau Field in 2024

Obviously, there's still a good chunk of the regular season left to play and a lot has to happen for both the Jets and Packers to finish in the same spot in their division, but it's worth exploring.

First, it seems unlikely that either Green Bay or New York would make a push for a division crown in the second half of the campaign.

The Detroit Lions (6-2) have looked like one of the best teams in football this fall and their main competition for the top spot is the Minnesota Vikings (5-4), who, despite losing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a season-ending Achilles injury, have won four straight. 

The Packers have a tough stretch of games coming up from Weeks 10-13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Lions on the road and vs. the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers at home, but their finish in the division may come down to Weeks 17 and 18 against the Vikings and Chicago Bears, respectively.

It's most likely that Green Bay will finish the year in third place, as the Bears (2-7) again look to be one of the worst teams in the NFL and are still waiting for quarterback Justin Fields to return from his thumb injury.

In the AFC East, Rodgers' Achilles injury has put the Jets in a precarious situation, as they've showcased an elite defense for most of the season but also a brutal offense. The summertime Super Bowl aspirations quickly turned to despair after the four-time MVP went down just four snaps into his Jets career in Week 1.

The defense (plus a few decent performances from backup signal-caller Zach Wilson) has kept New York in the playoff race at 4-4, but it'd be hard to find any fan who realistically believes the Jets could overtake the Miami Dolphins (6-3) or Buffalo Bills (5-4) in the division. After a very winnable "Sunday Night Football" matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on the road in Week 10, New York has back-to-back huge divisional contests at the Bills and vs. the Dolphins in Weeks 11 and 12 respectively.

Like the Packers in the NFC North, the Jets seem to have a good shot at avoiding the AFC East cellar, as the New England Patriots (2-7) are in free fall. New York travels to face New England in Week 18 in a game that could have implications on whether a presumed healthy Rodgers could return to his longtime home in 2024.