Is there a more polarizing player in the entire National Football League than Aaron Rodgers?
Most likely not.
Love him or hate him (there can be no in-between), you have to admit the sight of him running out of the New York Jets tunnel while carrying the American Flag on the 22nd anniversary of 9/11 was pretty damn cool.
Of course, we all know what ended up happening that night.
On just the fourth offensive play of the season, Rodgers brutally tore his Achilles tendon, and just like that, his 2023 season was over.
(And just like that, the Jets season was over as well.)
Fast forward to now, Rodgers is back healthy and both he and the Jets will effectively run-it-back this season.
The majority of the team and coaching staff remains intact. Whether that’s a good or bad thing remains to be seen.
Another reoccurring theme will be the Jets schedule this season. In particular, their primetime schedule as the NFL’s schedule-makers decided to feature Rodgers and Gang Green in primetime a record SIX times in the first 11 games.
Appearing on SiriusXM Radio, Rodgers pulled no punches as he spoke about why the league would want to showcase the Jets as predominantly as they will.
“We are must-watch TV and that’s pretty obvious,” Rodgers emphasized.
“Whether you love me or hate me, people want to see me play, they enjoy watching me play, and we are a team to watch this year … Not surprising. Six primetime games in the first 11 or 12 weeks. I love it.”
Mike North, the NFL’s vice president of broadcast planning, acknowledged the unusual concentration of prime-time games for the Jets.
“Yes, it’s an awful lot of prime-time games early in the season, but, obviously, I feel like Jets kind of owe us one,” North stated, referring to Rodgers’ injury derailing the high hopes the league had for Gang Green last season.
“When we had this conversation a year ago, we were – all of us – all-in on the Jets, and for that guy to last four plays was disheartening for many of us.
“Certainly, our broadcast partners, when they came to us early in the process talking about what storylines they want to focus on early in the season, obviously Aaron Rodgers’ return was a key one for everybody,” North explained.
The Jets are slated for two Monday night games (ESPN/ABC), two Sunday night games (NBC), and two Thursday night games (Prime Video) in the early part of the season.
“We’re excited to showcase the Jets’ resurgence in prime time,” North excitedly expressed. “Hopefully, he stays healthy and, hopefully, they’re relevant.”
Responding to the idea that the Jets “owe” the league something, Rodgers was blunt with his thoughts…
“As far as us owing people, that’s fine,” he said. “I don’t care what anybody has to say about that. That’s great. It was sh*tty for me. It was rough for the league, me only playing a few plays last year.
“That’s going to be different this year. And what happens when we pay them back this year with six great primetime games. What are they gonna say next year?”
The Jets’ prime-time prominence is evident in their schedule, with seven standalone games in the first 11 weeks, including a Week 5 clash in London against the Minnesota Vikings.
Networks are clamoring for a piece of Rodgers’ return story, ensuring the Jets’ presence on every major broadcasting platform except FOX in the early months of the season.
The NFL’s strategic scheduling underscores a bet on Rodgers’ health and the Jets being able to establish themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
Of course, this same exact plan blew up in their face last year … But what are the odds of it happening again???
With prime-time showdowns against the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots in the first three weeks, the league is banking on the Jets to put on a show.
Despite the Jets’ struggles last season, their defensive unit remained one of the best in the league.
Hoping the defensive side of the ball will remain strong, the Jets’ front office had a clear focus on improving the offensive line throughout this offseason.
After all, if Rodgers is to stay healthy, the offensive line is going to have to play a big part in it.
What are your thoughts on Rodgers and the Jets heading into the new season?
Did the NFL make a mistake by awarding them so many primetime games?
Or do you think Rodgers will be able to regain his old MVP-form and make Gang Green one of the most exciting teams to watch in the league?
In the bigger picture, how many more years do you think Rodgers has left at a truly elite level???