Michael Cole’s journey reads like a gridiron Greek tragedy. The WWE commentator and long-suffering New York Jets devotee recently laid bare his football heartache on the Pat McAfee Show, serving up a cold dish of reality that would make even the toughest Jets fan flinch.

“I’ve [had] 50 years of torture,” Cole confessed, his words echoing the collective anguish of Gang Green Nation. This wasn’t just Monday morning quarterbacking; Cole’s pessimism proved prophetic when Aaron Rodgers’ Jets debut turned into a four-snap nightmare last season. Talk about fumbling the bag!

Rewind to 2023, and the Jets’ acquisition of Rodgers felt like hitting the jackpot. The four-time MVP was supposed to be the chosen one to end a playoff drought longer than the line at Katz’s Deli. But faster than you can say “butt fumble,” Rodgers went down with an Achilles tear, leaving Jets fans to watch their Super Bowl dreams vanish like a Hail Mary in heavy fog.

Cole’s crystal ball didn’t just see it coming; it practically broadcasted it in high definition. Back in September 2023, he voiced concerns that something would inevitably go wrong with Rodgers in Jets Green. “We’re going to ruin it. This is the Jets, something’s going to go wrong,” Cole had predicted, as reported by Pat McAfee.

Adding fuel to the fire, Rodgers recently raised eyebrows by skipping the Jets’ mandatory minicamp. As reported by ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the team termed it an “unexcused absence” due to a “previous commitment.” This absence sparked criticism from sports commentators like Nick Wright, who speculated on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that Rodgers might be off attending “an ayahuasca ceremony somewhere,” garnering a lot of criticism from the spectators.

For Jets diehards, hope has become a four-letter word. Each season kicks off with a glimmer of optimism, only to end in a familiar refrain of “maybe next year.” It’s a tune that’s been playing longer than “Born to Run” on a Jersey jukebox.

A Pessimistic Aaron Rodgers and Jets fan finds hope in the Cowboys

In a twist that would make even the most dramatic WWE storyline seem tame, Cole’s now pinning his hopes on Jerry Jones’ star-spangled rodeo in Dallas. When McAfee posed the million-dollar question – Jets or Cowboys, who finish better? – Cole didn’t hesitate with the answer: “Cowboys.” Looks like he’s ready to trade in his J-E-T-S chant for a hearty “How ’bout them Cowboys!”

America’s Team might have its own playoff demons, but compared to the Jets’ eternal rebuild, they’re practically football royalty. Sure, Dak Prescott catches more heat than a Texas sidewalk in August for his postseason performances. Stephen A. Smith didn’t pull any punches on his show last week, claiming Prescott “folds like a cheap tent” when the playoffs roll around. But at least the Cowboys are playing meaningful football in January, something Jets fans can only dream about.

The Cowboys’ roster is more stacked than the Dream Team. CeeDee Lamb emerged as a top-tier threat last season, hauling in 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, Micah Parsons has been terrorizing quarterbacks like Lawrence Taylor in his prime, racking up 13.5 sacks in 2022 alone.

While Rodgers’ journey with the Jets has hit early turbulence, it’s worth noting his career longevity. At 40, he’s now the oldest active player in the NFL, impressing teammates and coaches with his passion and dedication. As Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams put it to ESPN, “To see how hard he’s worked, to see how much he loves football, to see how smart he is, how much he pours into our team and pours into football, is unbelievable.”

Sounds like Rodgers is trying to be the Tom Brady of the Jets, minus the rings… so far. For fans like Cole, hitching their wagon to the Cowboys isn’t just about abandoning a sinking ship. It’s about finding a team that at least has a snowball’s chance in Houston of making a deep playoff run. As Cole put it, “Every single year, it’s incredible. The entire state, unless you live in the little Houston area… they all talk about the Cowboys everywhere across the entire state.” Sounds like the Cowboys are more popular in Texas than BBQ and high school football combined!