There’s only one reason the NFL loaded the New York Jets schedule with primetime games this season. It’s Aaron Rodgers, and he knows it.
Betting on Rodgers being healthy and relevant for at least the first three-quarters of the season, the NFL graced the Jets with six primetime games in their first 11 weeks this season. The gaudy schedule comes after the NFL failed to capitalize on the Jets primetime slate of games last year when Rodgers tore his Achilles just four plays into the season.
NFL VP of Broadcast Planning Mike North has since claimed the Jets “owe” the league, or at least its fans after last season’s Rodgers-less primetime games. Rodgers recently joined Adam Schein’s show on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio and addressed the unique schedule.
“What happens when we pay them back this year with 6 great primetime games? What are they gonna say next year?”@AaronRodgers12 tells @AdamSchein why he loves the Primetime schedule & whether the Jets “owe” the NFL.
🔉Full interview Friday at 10:20a ET: https://t.co/zg4Yc2wNIA pic.twitter.com/SvCEH6m3ZN
— Mad Dog Sports Radio (@MadDogRadio) May 23, 2024
“We are must-watch TV and that’s pretty obvious,” Rodgers admitted. “Everybody knows that. 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.”
“As far as us owing people, that’s fine,” Rodgers said in response to North’s claim. “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?”
If the Jets play six great primetime games and Rodgers comes back for another season, they’ll probably receive an equally full slate next year. Because on the football field, Rodgers is must-watch TV. And unlike his podcast appearances where at least half the audience is there to rubberneck, NFL fans almost unanimously enjoy watching a healthy Aaron Rodgers play football.
