The two-minute warning has been sounded for Aaron Rodgers. The four-time MVP quarterback finds himself in a classic “goal to go” situation, facing a blitz of criticism and Empire State-sized expectations. In a discussion surrounding the AFC East QBs and who has the “most to prove,” Aaron Rodgers’ situation appeared to have an edge in the conversation despite the contract dilemma of Tua Tagovailoa.

On ESPN’s First Take, Kimberley A. Martin threw down the gauntlet: “What sounds more important: Playing for a contract (which Tua is doing) or playing for your legacy? The answer is Aaron Rodgers, people.” She emphasized the high stakes for the veteran QB: “Number one, who’s 40 plus years old? Who, again, is joining a team where the only thing that matters [is] it’s got to be Super Bowl or bust?”

Martin didn’t pull any punches, adding on the need for Rodgers to establish his legacy in his new side, stating, “We’re literally looking at Aaron Rogers like, ‘You are one of the best quarterbacks, the most gifted quarterbacks to ever play this game. And with the one Super Bowl, are you going to win another? Can we talk about you in this rarified air because the talent is there, but the Super Bowl trophies are not?’ He’s so good that he should have more Super Bowls.”

But here’s the penalty flag: FinsXtra’s power rankings have Rodgers riding the bench behind his division rivals. Daniel Jeremiah explained, “I’ve got Josh Allen one. I’ve got Tua two. I’ve got Aaron Rodgers three.” It’s a far cry from Rodgers’ usual spot in the preseason discussion, leaving fans wondering if he’s still got that Hail Mary magic.

At 40, Rodgers isn’t anywhere close to a rookie phenom anymore. His career stats are Hall of Fame worthy, with 59,055 passing yards, 475 touchdowns, and a 103.6 passer rating. But in the NFL, you’re only as good as your last snap, and Rodgers’ 2023 season was shorter than a quarterback sneak – just four plays before an Achilles injury sidelined him. While former teammates of the star, like offensive tackle David Bakhtiari, have shown faith in the quarterback by expecting “big things” from him, matters don’t favor Rodgers from the analysts’ perspectives.

The road ahead looks tougher than breaking the goal line against the ’85 Bears. Rodgers isn’t just battling Father Time; he’s also got to prove he can bounce back from injury. It’s fourth and long, but if anyone can potentially thread the needle when it counts, it’s A-Rod. Meanwhile, all eyes remain on his absence from the mandatory minicamp while his divisional rivals look to grab the edge in the battle.

In Miami, Tua Tagovailoa showed up at camp looking leaner than a wide receiver. “I feel better,” Tua said to the pressors last week. “Quicker on my feet. More nimble. I can extend plays more.” With a 97.1 passer rating in 2023, Tua’s giving Rodgers a run for his money in the AFC East QB rankings. It is his impending contract that appears to be the greatest push for the Miami QB at the moment.

Up in Buffalo, Josh Allen isn’t taking his foot off the gas either. Allen’s gunslinging style has made him the top dog in FinsXtra’s AFC East rankings. As Mike Florio pointed out, “Josh Allen is getting screwed because Allen doesn’t have any devices in his contract that would force them to pay him more.” Despite the contract situation, Allen’s on-field performance and leading his team to playoffs in five out of the past six seasons continue to speak volumes.

Aaron Rodgers’ reason for absence appears to have taken center stage!

Just when you thought Rodgers had called an audible on the controversy, his decision to skip the minicamp has the NFL world buzzing louder than the J-E-T-S chant at MetLife Stadium. With Robert Saleh’s “unexcused” comment about the situation, the talks seemed to be around the quarterback’s absence and its effect on the team. However, with the Ayahuasca retreat reason making an appearance in the conversation, it is the reason for his non-attendance that seems to have grabbed all the spotlight.

In an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, NFL insider Albert Breer divulged what he knew about Rodgers’ absence. “[What] I feel solid about is that he is somewhere that they could not excuse and maintain credibility with the rest of the locker room, but would not be an out-of-left-field thing for him.” Rodgers’ love for the plant-based psychedelic is no secret. In fact, he went on an ayahuasca retreat to Costa Rica in March. What Breer said following this hinted at the ayahuasca possibility: “You guys can open your mind, so to speak, as he’s been known to open his mind sometimes into all the possibilities.”

On the other hand, Nick Wright went for the blindside hit on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, claiming Rodgers “skipped work to do dr*gs.” However, not everyone’s throwing the challenge flag. Jets cornerback D.J. Reed played defense: “That’s our quarterback. If it’s important to him, it’s important to us. It’s really not a big deal.” Head coach Robert Saleh added, “Aaron and I are on the exact same page. There’s no issue between Aaron or his teammates.”

As the dust settles on the controversy and conversation, one thing’s clear: Rodgers is walking a tightrope thinner than the uprights. His ability to shake off these distractions and lead the Jets to the promised land will define his legacy in the Big Apple. It’s sudden death over time, and all eyes are on number 8. Will he fumble under pressure or orchestrate a game-winning drive? As they say in the booth, “Let’s go to the tape.”