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On the latest episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets, future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers was caught on camera trash-talking New York Giants outside linebacker Jihad Ward during the preseason game between the two teams over the weekend.
Rodgers, clearly annoyed by some contact that Ward made after the whistle had blown, called out the linebacker by telling him that he “doesn’t know who” he is.
Later that same drive, Rodgers would go on to throw his first touchdown pass in Jets colors — a beautiful back-shoulder pass to stud wide receiver Garrett Wilson — and continue to chirp Ward by telling him to not “poke the bear.”
Aaron Rodgers still has some fire left 🔥 @AaronRodgers12#HardKnocks now streaming on @StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/bXwR0U6gyI
— NFL (@NFL) August 30, 2023
Rodgers’ touchdown pass to Wilson will likely be the first of many between the pair, as the former Ohio State University product is expected to explode this year now that the four-time NFL MVP is throwing him passes instead of the likes of Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, and Mike White.
With the start of the 2023-24 season just a few weeks away — the Jets will kick off their campaign with a Week 1 Monday Night Football matchup against the Buffalo Bills — Gang Green is currently projected to be one of the best teams in the National Football League and one of the main contenders for the Super Bowl.
According to the betting lines, only the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, and Dallas Cowboys have shorted odds to lift the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season than the Jets do.
The Jets’ predicted resurgence, of course, is due to their acquisition of Rodgers, whom they traded for back in April. Even though the Jets haven’t made the playoffs since 2010, which is good for the longest drought in the league, Rodgers’ presence immediately turned them into one of the most noteworthy teams in the league.
Rodgers will make his official regular season debut for the Jets on Monday, September 11 against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.