No, Aaron Rodgers did not have a bong on the sidelines during the Jets’ “Monday Night Football” loss to the Chargers.
But the item in the box he was holding could still get him into the party spirit.
Video circulated of the Jets quarterback, who is still rehabbing from the torn Achilles he suffered just four plays into his debut with the team, picking up a box before a beaker-shaped piece of glassware came tumbling out, spilling liquid in the process.
Rodgers clarified Friday on “The Pat McAfee Show” that it was not a bong, but instead a bottle of Maestro Dobel tequila.
“That was not a bong, first of all,” Rodgers said. “Let’s go through a couple of things. No. 1, I was dapping up by buddy Hugh [Coles]. Hugh plays George McFly in the new Broadway play ‘Back to the Future.’ So shout out to Hugh. No. 2, there’s a gentleman named John Sutcliffe, he is the ESPN Deportes sideline reporter and he’s tried to interview me in Spanish a few times with some funny results. I dap him up, it’s partly his fault because I was walking off the field with my Maestro Dobel tequila that John Sutcliffe gives me every time he sees me on ‘Monday Night Football.’
“I’m walking off and I hear a British guy yell my name. So I turn over and there’s Hugh, my buddy. He’s British, but he’s incredible in ‘Back to the Future’ without the accent. Anyway, I see Hugh, give him a hug, dap him up, go to pick it back up, s–t falls out and I lose half my tequila. So, shout out to John for bringing me tequila, shout out to Maestro Dobel, shout out to Hugh, shout out to bongs everywhere, but that was not one of them.”
Aaron Rodgers’ tequila bottle spills out of a box he was carrying during the Jets-Chargers game on Nov. 6. ScreengrabAaron Rodgers’s tequila bottle spills out of a box he was carrying during the Jets-Chargers game on Nov. 6. Screengrab
Rodgers has previously been open about his use of ayahuasca, leading McAfee to say it must be “a cool feeling” that people would believe Rodgers would actually hold a bong on the sidelines.
Rodgers chided people who believed it.
Aaron Rodgers speaks on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Nov. 10, 2023. Screengrab
“It’s a little weak with the conspiracies,” Rodgers said. “I feel like it should’ve been something more like, you know, dolphin semen or Giants tears or something better than that.”
Although both Ghahramani and Cobb, who was laughing in the huddle with Aaron Rodgers, thought it was funny, New York Giants safety Bobby McCain had to exit the game with a concussion due to the dirty hit.
The NFL didn’t find the illegal hit, for which Cobb was penalized, nearly as funny as the Jets duo or Ghahramani. They slapped the veteran with a near-$14,000 fine for the outlawed blindside block late this week.
The NFL fined #Jets WR Randall Cobb $13,889 for unnecessary roughness – an illegal blindside block on #Giants DB Bobby McCain in last week’s preseason finale. McCain entered concussion protocol.
The hit led to an exchange between Rodgers and Giants linebacker Jihad Ward that has gone back and forth for nearly a week.
The two had to be separated during the game and that exchange was shown, in part, on HBO’s Hard Knocks. Despite video evidence, Rodgers claims Ward was lying when he said the quarterback and Cobb were laughing about the hit in the huddle.
The New York Giants will close out the preseason against the New York Jets next Saturday night at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
It’s unlikely the Giants play many of their starters and if they do, it will only be for a series or two. And that’s good news for Big Blue because preseason games against the Jets often tend to result in the most injuries.
There’s a reason for that, of course. The Jets always enter what was once dubbed “The Snoopy Bowl” far more eager than the Giants, who are just trying to get work in prior to the regular season.
For Gang Green, on the other hand, these preseason games represent an opportunity to steal the spotlight from their cross-town rivals. And with little else going on for them in recent decades, back page headlines have been difficult to come by.
Regardless of what happens during the Week 3 preseason game, the Jets will once again dominate the back page at the Giants’ expense.
Jets fans won’t have to wait until the regular season to see Aaron Rodgers make his debut.
The four-time MVP will make his first start as a Jet in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Giants, according to a source.
Rodgers has sat out the first three preseason games and the Jets have started Zach Wilson.
Now, Rodgers will take the field for the first time as a Jet in what should be a good atmosphere for a preseason game.
The Jets have avoided playing Rodgers this preseason but the door was always left open for him to see some action. But there’s no coincidence that will come against the Giants.
“I wouldn’t mind playing in the preseason,” Rodgers said early in camp. “I wouldn’t mind if Robert said, ‘Hey, we are going to go. Let’s do it.’ Most coaches have that fear where they want to get you to the Week 1 and not risk it, but I believe there is a chance for the last one.”
If rookie cornerbacks Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins see some action early in the game, it’ll be a true test of what they can expect to see at the NFL level.
In a little over two weeks, the Panthers will be on the clock and one of the best three-day periods in the sports calendar will commence.
The Jets enter this year’s draft with less needs than any draft in recent memory.
That is a testament to the roster that general manager Joe Douglas has built.
There are still positions that need work but the Jets should have more directions they can go this year than in the past few years.
We used the PFF mock draft simulator to help us out and here is what we came up with for the Jets 2023 Draft:
Round 1, No. 13 overall: TRADE
Sending the No. 13 pick to the Rams for a 2023 second-round pick (No. 36 overall), a 2023 third-round pick (No. 77 overall) and a 2024 first-round pick.
The top two offensive tackles were already drafted with Paris Johnson and Broderick Jones both going in the top 10.
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a wild card for the Jets here, went a pick before we were on the clock.
The Jets are still working on a trade for Aaron Rodgers.AP
I considered Northwestern lineman Peter Skoronski but he is more of a guard than a tackle.
Without a lot of attractive options at 13, I decided to deal the pick.
Don’t kill me over the fairness of the trade.
The PFF simulator accepted the trade.
I dropped out of the first round but picked up a first-rounder next year and two Day 2 picks this year.
This gives us the flexibility to move back into the first round with the extra picks or sit tight.
Next year, we will have an extra first-round pick in case we need to move up to draft a quarterback if Aaron Rodgers is one and done with the Jets.
Round 2, No. 36 overall (acquired in trade with Rams): Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones.Jose / Marinmedia.Org / Csm/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA
After moving out of the first round, we take the best tackle still on the board.
Jones is a monster at 6-foot-8 and 374 pounds. His wingspan is 87 ¾ inches.
We can slot him in at right tackle and let Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown fight it out for the left tackle spot.
Protecting Aaron Rodgers is a priority and Jones will help the Jets do that.
Round 2, No. 42 overall: Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
Previous Pick: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
Henley is a repeat from last week, although we take him one spot higher this week. The Jets are not likely to keep both of their second-round picks. One is most likely going to be sent to the Packers in a deal for Rodgers. If they stay here, linebacker is a position that needs to be addressed. They need a third linebacker right now and C.J. Mosley is not going to play forever. It is time to start building depth at the position.
Round 2, No. 43 overall: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State
Previous Pick: Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
Felix Anudike-Uzomah at Kansas State’s Pro Day.AP
You can’t have enough edge rushers.
Anudike-Uzomah had 20 ½ sacks in three seasons at Kansas State and can give the Jets some depth on the edge to go along with Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson and Micheal Clemons.
The Jets don’t need him to start right away but he can play special teams and become a starter later.
Round 3, No. 77 overall (acquired in trade with Rams): Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston
Dell was a team captain at Houston, something the Jets love.
He is undersized at 5-8, 165 pounds but was highly productive in college.
He led FBS in receiving yards (1,398) and receiving touchdowns (17) in 2022.
PHOENIX — There has been some thought that the Jets should pivot to Lamar Jackson if things don’t work out with Aaron Rodgers or to put a scare into the Packers to make something happen.
Jets general manager Joe Douglas put an end to that discussion on Monday at the league meetings.
“First of all, Lamar Jackson is a fantastic player,” Douglas said. “But where we stand is it would be disingenuous and operating, negotiating in bad faith if we went down the path. Right now, we have our plan, we have our process and we’re sticking to that.”
If he does switch teams, don’t count on the Jets being where he lands.
Jets coach Robert Saleh confirmed that Zach Wilson will be the team’s backup quarterback this season.
“He’s our No. 2,” Saleh said. “I really still think Zach has a future in this league to be a really good quarterback. He has the work ethic. He has the mindset. He’s coming in here to attack it. We’re counting on him to be a fixture here for a while.”
Zach WilsonBill Kostroun/New York Post
Douglas commented on last week’s trade of WR Elijah Moore to the Browns. The Jets sent Moore and a third-round pick to Cleveland for the Browns’ second-round pick.
“That was a tough decision because obviously Elijah is a really good player and a young player and on a cap-friendly deal,” Douglas said. “I think it was just a situation that came up where we had a flood of calls, nothing really serious. Cleveland was aggressive in their pursuit. Ultimately, we felt like this was an opportunity to bring value that we needed back to the team and back to the draft while also giving Elijah a great opportunity in Cleveland.”
Douglas provided a small update on where things stand with a contract extension for DT Quinnen Williams.
“There’s been a few conversations since I last spoke to you guys at the combine,” Douglas said. “I would say we’re in a positive place there. No exact timeline for when that’s going to get done but I’ve had good conversations with [agent] Nicole [Lynn] and still feel like that’s in a positive place.”
Brandon Marshall, who set receiving records for the Jets in 2015, said Rodgers would be a short-term fix to a long-term problem.
“Aaron Rodgers is the best thrower of the football our game has ever seen,” Marshall said at the site of the Super Bowl, where he is doing media work. “This is our opportunity to really get it right and be in position to be contending next year. So, you can go Aaron Rodgers and feel like you’ll get there, right? But what’s going to happen after next year? I feel like a Derek Carr, even a Jimmy [Garoppolo], with that defense, with Elijah Moore used the right way and then Garrett [Wilson], we’re set up for the next five to seven years.”
Marshall, a six-time Pro Bowler, gave his pecking order for possible Jets QBs.
“If I was Woody Johnson Marshall, I would go Derek Carr as my 1, Jimmy G as my second option and then Aaron Rodgers as my third option,” Marshall said.
Marshall said he would also be concerned about how Rodgers would fit the Jets.
“It’s his age, but also the fit in the locker room,” Marshall said. “Guys are definitely going to respect him, but I just feel like Derek Carr can get you there. Derek Carr is the first one in, last one out. Derek Carr, he meets people where they’re at. The chemistry and continuity is everything. Remember, we tried this before with Brett Favre. We did this, Woody. We did it. We tried this before with Brett Favre. Derek Carr, that’s all we need. We don’t need the best quarterback. We need the right quarterback.”
Brandon Marshall speaks at the 2022 Revolt Summit at 787 Windsor on September 24, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia.WireImage Aaron Rodgers won back-to-back NFL MVPs in 2020 and 2021. Getty Images
Marshall also believes time on the bench will help Zach Wilson improve.
“He’s super talented. He has the moxie,” Marshall said. “He does have the makeup to be successful in that city. But you’re in the big city, you’re in the big leagues. We need it now. You don’t [usually] have time to sit there. Now, you’re going to have 12 months, maybe 24 to earn the trust back of not only the Jets but the other 31 teams and organizations. What are you going to do?”
Who would’ve predicted Tom Brady joining the losingest franchise in NFL history when the 2020 NFL offseason began?
Who could have foreseen that Jared Goff-Matthew Stafford swap that later decided a Super Bowl when the 2021 NFL offseason began?
Who would’ve imagined that Matt Ryan and Russell Wilson would be dealt out of the NFC and into the loaded AFC when the 2022 NFL offseason began?
What’s next? Brady’s retirement this week started the 2023 NFL quarterback carousel spinning a bit earlier than expected. Let’s have some fun with the “all hell breaks loose” version of quarterback movement, including teams with new starters from trades, free agency or the draft.
Panthers: Daniel Jones
The Giants are acting as if the return of their QB free agent is a formality before even beginning negotiations. What if the price tag exceeds $40 million per year and $140 million guaranteed? The franchise tag’s $32 million salary-cap hit is restrictive, and the new regime has enough fan equity to paint Jones’ ask as unreasonable while starting over. Jones’ hometown Panthers — bold in moves for Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield — jump in, and an old photo of Jones in a Jake Delhomme jersey goes viral.
Daniel Jones grew up in Charlotte, and didn’t leave the state of North Carolina when he selected Duke for college.Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Giants: Will Levis
Following the script he helped write with the Bills in 2018, general manager Joe Schoen trades up twice to get from No. 26 into the top 10 of the draft to pick a high-ceiling, strong-armed, inconsistently accurate passer, hoping head coach Brian Daboll can mold Kentucky’s Levis into Josh Allen 2.0.
Falcons: Lamar Jackson
Fed up after two years of fruitless extension negotiations, the Ravens franchise-tag Jackson. Falcons owner Arthur Blank — who built a close friendship with Michael Vick — sees Jackson as a carbon copy and OKs dealing three first-round picks and fully guaranteeing a new contract, copying the Browns’ move to beat the Falcons in the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes last offseason.
Ravens: Bryce Young
Suddenly flush with draft capital, including No. 8 overall, the Ravens turn around and trade for the No. 1 pick and Alabama’s Young because the Bears are true to early leaks that they plan to build around third-year quarterback Justin Fields. Firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman — who built the run-first, tight-end-heavy offenses for Colin Kaepernick and Jackson — was the first sign of a shift to a more pro-style offense.
Bryce Young, a recent Sugar Bowl winner, could be the first quarterback selected this year.Getty Images
49ers: Aaron Rodgers
It’s easy for the Packers to say that Aaron Rodgers only will be dealt in the AFC. But this franchise handled facing Brett Favre on the Vikings for two years at the end of his career. So, if the 49ers make the best offer because of real fears that Trey Lance can’t stay healthy and Brock Purdy won’t be healthy in time to prove he’s no fluke, are the Packers going to say no? It’s interesting that Rodgers quipped “I’m not going to San Fran” on Thursday while golfing. Why was that on his mind?
Packers: Jordan Love
Can the Packers really strike gold twice? Trading Favre worked out because it turned out they had a Hall of Famer in Rodgers sitting on their bench for three seasons. It’s a lot to ask Love to repeat history, but the Packers need to play him to find out if he can be the future — instead of a wasted first-round pick that could’ve been a much-needed receiver — in the final year of his contract.
Texans: Trey Lance
If the Jets’ Robert Saleh and Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel taught us anything, it’s that former 49ers assistants take players with them to new jobs. The Texans hold the No. 2 pick, but defensive end Will Anderson or defensive tackle Jalen Carter would be a foundational piece for new head coach DeMeco Ryans’ defense if he can convince the front office to take a chance on Lance instead of drafting Levis or C.J. Stroud.
Patriots: Jimmy Garoppolo
Garoppolo might have more suitors than anyone because of his ties to the prolific Bill Belichick and Kyle Shanahan coaching trees. Ultimately, Belichick gets the quarterback he has wanted ever since drafting Garoppolo in 2014, when he thought Brady was near retirement. Garoppolo never worked with returning Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. The egoless Bailey Zappe develops behind Garoppolo.
Could Jimmy Garoppolo wear Patriots gear again, just like he was in this photo from minicamp in 2014?Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Raiders: Mac Jones
General manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels are going to dip into their Patriots roots to replace Derek Carr. If going all-in for Brady was Plan A and luring Garoppolo was Plan B, what is Plan C? Calling the Patriots to say, “Isn’t it redundant to have two young backups like Jones and Zappe?” McDaniels coached Jones as a rookie before his step back in Year 2.
Jets: Derek Carr
After missing out on Rodgers, Carr is a fine consolation prize, especially because he doesn’t cost any assets other than money after forcing the Raiders into releasing him to save salary-cap space by exercising his no-trade clause. Carr’s brother, David, was Eli Manning’s three-year backup, and convinces him that New York is a great place to win.
Colts: C.J. Stroud
Outbid for the No. 1 pick or Fields in talks with the Bears, the Colts stay put at No. 4 and seek to end the game of musical chairs that has seen seven different Week 1 quarterbacks in seven years by adding Ohio State’s Stroud to the lineage of Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck.
Saints: Matt Ryan
A brief flirtation with retirement after a one-year disaster with the Colts is scratched when Ryan sees a chance to again rule the moribund NFC South, only from the other side of the Falcons-Saints rivalry. Call time of death on the Andy Dalton-Jameis Winston-Taysom Hill rotation.
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2023 draft.Getty Images
Buccaneers: Ryan Tannehill
What does life after Brady look like? Re-sign free agent Blaine Gabbert? Turn to former second-round pick Kyle Trask for his first career start? It makes more sense for a veteran team with now-or-never head coach Todd Bowles to make a run at the division title while all other teams are down by trading for the final year of Tannehill’s contract.
Titans: Anthony Richardson
Who is going to fall in love with Richardson’s tantalizing, but raw, skillset? How about new general manager Ran Carthon, who was part of the 49ers’ decision to draft Lance — who had one season with more than 100 passes thrown since high school in 2017 — based on potential?
Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard rang in February with a 42-point outburst in a win over the Grizzlies in Memphis. Did you notice? Probably not. After all, he had already started the week with a different 42-point outing in a win over the Hawks. That night, he had company on the night’s scoring leaderboard from Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray, who had 40, and Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic, who poured in 53 against the woebegone Pistons.
On Thursday night, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo went one better, dropping 54 in a one-point victory over the Clippers — his third 50-burger in his past 11 games.
In total, there have been 122 individual 40-point games this season. The record is 142, set more than 60 years ago when Wilt Chamberlain, then of the Philadelphia Warriors, recorded 63 40-point nights on his own (h/t NBA.com’s John Schuhmann). It doesn’t take a math wizard to see that with the season not even at the All-Star break, the league should fly past that mark set in the 1961-62 season. We’re on pace for a total of 192 individual games of 40 points or better, well past even the more modern-day mark of 137 during the 2018-19 season.
Damian Lillard’s 42-point outburst is far from an anomaly this season.Getty Images
To what do we owe this offensive bounty? Let’s take a quick look.
Defense optional: The Cavaliers have the league’s best defense, per defensive rating, allowing 109.7 points per 100 possessions. As noted recently on ESPN’s Hoop Collective podcast, that number would have ranked closer to the bottom third of the league than the top as recently as five seasons ago (21st, to be exact). And the 2017-18 season wasn’t exactly filled with Knicks-Bulls slugfests. That’s partly a result of coaches deploying more offensively inclined lineups, partly the result of rest days taking some of the best players (and their defensive capabilities) off the floor and partly the result of evolving rules limiting the amount of potential shot-changing contact defenders can make.
Skills kill: Look at the roster at almost any team and you can find someone capable of going off on any random night. Yes, there are the Doncics, the Antetokounmpos and the Jayson Tatums, but you also have the Zach LaVines (three 40-point nights) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexanders (also three 40-point nights) and even the Caris LeVerts — who can score from almost anywhere on the floor (more on that in a second). That’s not just a coincidence, but the result of a basketball development culture that has players working with skills coaches and honing their games as early as elementary school. Don’t take it from me, but a four-time title-winning coach, too.
Three is the magic number: It’s not exactly news that teams are relying on the 3-pointer more than ever, but just take a look at the past decade: The average number of 3s made per game per team is up to 12.3 this season, from 7.2 in 2012-13. On Wednesday night, for example, Tatum likely would have easily posted his eighth(!) 40-point or better game had the Celtics not run the Nets off the floor from the opening tip. Though he finished with 31 for the night, Tatum tallied 18 of those points in the first quarter, and finished with seven made 3s.
Some may bemoan the lack of defense all these numbers suggest. Some may claim this is the result of the game looking more and more like Pop-A-Shot. Some of us just want to enjoy the skills on display. But the game is different. The 3 has become the new-age dunk. Better get out your calculators.
— Paul Forrester
It turns out a person can be two places at once
Wearing an Islanders jersey after more than eight seasons as a Vancouver Canuck will be strange for Bo Horvat. It will be equally strange for fans at All-Star weekend, where the NHL has kept Horvat on the Pacific Division team despite his new associations.
Horvat will don an Islanders Fisherman jersey at the Skills Challenge on Friday night. Then, at Saturday’s All-Star Game, he will play for the Pacific — the NHL’s way of splitting the baby in a situation where there is not an obvious solution.
“I don’t know how they came up with everything,” Horvat said. “I was just happy to be here. All this unfolded. They basically asked me if I still wanted to come. Of course I wanted to come and enjoy the weekend. And then they worked out the logistics after that.”
Bo Horvat will represent both the Canucks and Islanders at various points during All-Star weekend.NHLI via Getty Images
Saturday will give Horvat a chance to skate with now-former teammate Elias Pettersson again (Horvat, by the way, endorsed Pettersson to replace him as captain of the Canucks).
“It’s gonna be fun and weird and awesome at the same time,” Horvat said. “I don’t really know how to approach it or how to talk about it, but I’m excited for it. Excited to skate with him at least on the same team for the last time, unless we join teams again later down in our careers. Really excited to see him.”
Sauce Gardner is not opposed to the idea of Aaron Rodgers as Jets quarterback.
The star defensive back, who just completed his rookie season for Gang Green, appeared on “Fitz and Harry” on ESPN Radio and was asked about Rodgers, who has been linked to the Jets via various tea leaves over the past week.
“He’s definitely great. He’s definitely elite,” Gardner said. “He’s been doing it [since] damn near before I was born. I can’t discredit nothing that he do. I’ve seen him do so many good things. He’s a great quarterback for sure.”
Asked specifically if he’d want Rodgers on his team, Gardner said, “I wouldn’t mind that. I want what’s best for the offense. But, at the same time, I just gotta focus on my job and focus on what we’ve got going on on the defensive side.”
The Rodgers-Jets chatter kicked off last week when Joe Namath brought up the idea, unprompted, in a spot with WFAN’s “Tiki & Tierney”. Broadway Joe even offered for Rodgers to wear his long-retired No. 12.
“I hope it can come true but it’s farfetched: I know Mr. [Jets owner Woody] Johnson’s trying to get a quarterback. If there’s a way he can get Rodgers … I’m a big Rodgers fan,” Namath said. “Yeah, I want him to wear his number. We established ourselves and we’ve got a real respect for our numbers, and Aaron Rodgers, God almighty, yeah! It’d be great to have him in New York.”
Sauce Gardner ‘wouldn’t mind’ Aaron Rodgers as the Jets’ new QB. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Aaron Rodgers’ Packers future is up in the air. Getty Images
The buzz intensified Thursday when the Jets named Nathaniel Hackett, who worked with Rodgers during his two most recent MVP seasons in Green Bay, as offensive coordinator. Of course, the Broncos hoped to land Rodgers last offseason when they inked Hackett as head coach, but it did not come to pass. Hackett was fired as Broncos head coach before completing his first season in charge.
Add Rob Gronkowski to the list of those questioning Aaron Rodgers’ remarks.
On Tuesday, Rodgers went on “The Pat McAfee Show” and was non-committal about whether he would return to the Packers, but was of the belief there is fuel left in the tank.
“Do I still think I can play?” Rodgers said. “Of course. Of course. Can I play at a high level? Yeah, the highest. I think I can win MVP again in the right situation.”
Gronkowski, the former tight end for the Patriots and Buccaneers, went on “Up and Adams” on FanDuel TV and opined that Rodgers should be thinking about team championships rather than individual accolades.
Aaron Rodgers was non-committal as to whether he will return to the Packers next season.Getty Images
“I’m totally fine with everything he said, except one major part — and that’s the MVP. [It should be] ‘I think I can win another Super Bowl,’” Gronkowski said. “That would’ve been totally fine. Like bro, why are you thinking MVP? Don’t you want Super Bowls? Super Bowls are, I think, five times greater than an MVP award.
“Like, we all know you won the MVP a few times now, but everyone would know even more how many more Super Bowls you’ve won than MVPs. That’s why I’m a little confused about that quote. It should be Super Bowls. You should never be thinking the MVP when Super Bowls are twice [as important].”
Rodgers, 39, has won one Super Bowl and four MVPs with the Packers, including the past two. Gronkowski, who retired after last season, has four Super Bowl victories with Tom Brady slinging him the ball with the Patriots and Buccaneers.
Rob Gronkowski criticized Aaron Rodgers for saying he can still play at an MVP level as opposed to talking about team Super Bowl wins.Getty Images
Rodgers did express the importance of contending for championships elsewhere in the conversation with McAfee.
Every NFL season is strange, and 2022 was no different. But one of the weirdest things about this season was how it lacked the meteoric rise of an off-the-radar player.
We didn’t have a mid-round pick finish in the top five or 10, like Deebo Samuel last season. You didn’t have a player go from complete obscurity to top-three at his position, like Robert Tonyan in 2020. You didn’t get a surprising vault to the top like Lamar Jackson in 2019.
Primarily, the top of the scoring charts were dominated by those who were near the top of draft boards. That virtually eliminated draft value as a component in choosing our fantasy MVP, which means it came down to performance and availability, and separation from positional peers.
The Madman just can’t award the MVP to a QB. Even if it was harder than normal to get by at QB this season, it still isn’t as hard as dealing with subpar running backs or wide receivers.
Speaking of running backs and wide receivers, they again populated the top of the scoring charts. Yet the top four RBs only had about one PPR point per week separating them on average. The top four wide receivers had a similar quad cluster at the top. The top QB outscored the next best QB by less than a point per week.
There was one position that had a clear runaway leader, someone so far ahead that the next best option finished nearly a touchdown per week behind, a guy who scored almost 100 more in PPR than the next best option.
The Madman’s fantasy MVP this season, for the first time ever, is a tight end: the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce.
Travis Kelce looks to evade the Broncos’ Josey Jewell after making a catch during a Chiefs game earlier this season.Getty Images
BEST QB: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs — A late-season injury took leader Jalen Hurts out of contention. Mahomes was just a touch better than Josh Allen over the course of the season and in the fantasy playoffs. Honorable mentions: Hurts (Eagles), Allen (Bills), Joe Burrow (Bengals).
BEST RB: Austin Ekeler, Chargers — Tight call with Christian McCaffrey. But Ekeler finished more than a point better per week in PPR. Honorable mentions: McCaffrey (Panthers/49ers), Josh Jacobs (Raiders).
BEST WR: Justin Jefferson, Vikings — This one is closer than it might appear. Jefferson was a monster most weeks, but when he wasn’t, he was trash (three games in which he scored fewer than seven in PPR) — and one of those came in the title week. But … he only had one other game in which he dipped below 15, and he had seven games in which he topped 30. Even a great season by Tyreek Hill isn’t enough to overcome those numbers. Honorable mentions: Hill (Dolphins), Davante Adams (Raiders), Stefon Diggs (Bills).
BEST ROOKIE: Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets — Maybe Jets RB Breece Hall would have run way with this if he hadn’t been injured. But as it stands, instead, we give it to his teammate. Honorable mentions: Chris Olave (WR, Saints), Kenneth Walker (RB, Seahawks).
Garrett Wilson was a great pickup for fantasy owners.Corey Sipkin
Big weeks
Aaron Rodgers QB, Packers, vs. Lions (FanDuel $7,100/DraftKings $6,000)
The best way to try to navigate Week 18 fantasy chaos is to lean on players whose teams have something to play for. It has been a rough fantasy season for Rodgers, but with playoffs on the line, at home, against the league’s worst defense vs. QBs, we’re OK using him here.
Trevor Lawrence QB, Jaguars, vs. Titans (FD $8,000/DK $6,100)
A do-or-die game, with a QB on the rise. We’re not worried about his toe injury, and Lawrence doesn’t have to worry about Tennessee’s poor pass defense.
Trevor Lawrence has made an impact for fantasy owners.Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Allgeier RB, Falcons, vs. Buccaneers (FD $6,500/DK $5,600)
Getting good volume since Atlanta’s Week 14 bye. Facing a Bucs team with nothing to play for other than to avoid injury.
D.J. Moore WR, Panthers, at Saints (FD $7,300/DK $6,100)
Seems to be clicking with QB Sam Darnold (TD in four of five games). Not worried about motivation for eliminated Panthers, since everyone is playing and coaching for their jobs.
Small weaks
Justin Herbert QB, Chargers, at Broncos (FD $7,500/DK $6,800)
It makes no sense for the Chargers to risk Herbert with little to gain and him still nursing a shoulder ailment. Oh, and Denver has the league’s second-best defense vs. opposing fantasy QBs, so there’s that, too.
Christian McCaffrey RB, 49ers, vs. Cardinals (FD $10,000/DK $9,300)
Shot at No. 1 seed is very slim and not worth the risk to CMC, who is dealing with ankle and knee issues. Plus, Elijah Mitchell could return this week. Expect more Jordan Mason as well.
Christian McCaffrey wasn’t helpful for fantasy owners this past week.Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Corey Clement RB, Cardinals, at 49ers (FD $5,700/DK $4,900)
People might be tempted, with James Conner out. But facing the league’s top run defense, without a legitimate NFL quarterback or passing-game threat, and an RB who has more than 10 carries just once in the past four seasons? No thanks.
Garrett Wilson WR, Jets, at Dolphins (FD $7,100/DK $5,800)
It should go without saying at this point: Don’t play Wilson. Joe Flacco has gotten the call, and some will point to Wilson’s monster Week 2 with him. But we would counter with his humdrum Weeks 1 and 3.
Insanity’s Daily Duel
Site: DraftKings Slate: Sun main (13 games) Type: $20 tourney Top prize: $1M
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