Apr 26, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) talks to the media during the introductory press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: New York Jets-Aaron Rodgers Press Conference
(Florham Park, NJ) – NFL fans look forward to HBO’s “Hard Knocks” every year.
There’s simply no better way to get close access to a team as it navigates training camp and prepares for the grueling upcoming season. This year, the New York Jets will be featured, the second time they’ve been the focus squad – dating back to Rex Ryan’s tenure in 2010. Jets fans were ultimately left disappointed that year when they came up short in the AFC title game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
There’s no shortage of intriguing storylines for these Jets. Chief among them is the inaugural season for QB Aaron Rodgers in New York City, after he was traded to the Jets from the Packers. But Rogers is not too pleased about the “Hard Knocks” selection.
At the American Century Championship golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, Rodgers spoke to KPIX and said, “One of the only things I like about ‘Hard Knocks’ is the voice of God, who narrates it — Liev [Schreiber]. I hope I get to meet him. Look, I understand the appeal with us. Obviously, there’s a lot eyes on me, a lot of eyes on our team, a lot of expectations for our squad. They forced it down our throats and we gotta deal with it.”
It would appear as though Rodgers isn’t alone when it comes to feeling less-than-enthused about “Hard Knocks”. No Team volunteered for the production, and the Jets were one of four teams the NFL was able to force into participating.
Last month, head coach Robert Saleh said, “I know there are several teams that would love for ‘Hard Knocks’ to be in their building. We’re just not one of them.”
It turns out no squad “loved” the idea. But the executives in their Park Avenue offices, and the prospect of high ratings, ended up with a marriage between HBO and Gang Green.
