The Aaron Rodgers Effect Is in Full Swing as NFL Offseason Trumps Primetime NBA Numbers

There are players who have a different hold on the game. The NFL also includes certain players that drive masses and bring in fans to the stadiums.  Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets QB is one such enigmatic player that draws the audience. Recently, Aaron Rodgers was part of a record viewership despite not playing the game. This incident transpired during the Thursday night Hall of Fame game 2023.

The playing teams in contention- Jets and Cleveland Browns went head to head as viewership records tumbled. Furthermore, the Hall of Fame even superseded the 2023 NBA playoff games. The fan’s excitement is hitting the roof and then some credits need to be given to Aaron Rodgers as well.

Aaron Rodgers’s presence is enough for creating records

He creates records whenever/wherever he plays. However, now Aaron Rodgers, the Jets’ April 2023 signee, who admits he’s getting older, is creating records just by being there. A-Rod has been long around in the NFL and has become a household name. His magnetic prowess and charisma were on display during the NFL Hall of Fame game on Thursday night. The massive crowd-puller was benched yet the match was watched by 6.3 million viewers. The record surpassed the previous ones held by NBA playoffs. Zach Wilson was therefore the starting quarterback in the game against the Browns.

Though Cleveland Browns upped the New York Jets by a 21-16 keenly contested match. It was the Aaron Rodgers effect that took the limelight. The GOAT quarterback was at the center of it all at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame stadium. The previous viewership was held with the 2023 NBA playoff games averaging 5.47 million viewers. The game was also a sellout with 18,000 fans thronging the stadium. However, with A-Rod sitting out and having an injury earlier, fans would be eager to see their hero on the field soon.

Aaron Rodgers meets an injury scare during the practice session

The SB MVP had a close injury scare during the team’s practice session. During practice sessions, coaches explicitly tell their players not to touch the QBs. However, a spirited Jermaine Jackson II broke that rule and collided with Rodgers’s pinky toe. Though it wasn’t something major the 4X First-Team All-Pro had to leave the field for the practice session.

ALSO READ: Jets QB Zach Wilson’s Mom “Can’t Wait to Meet” Aaron Rodgers for Who He is Off the Field

The Jets coach, Robert Saleh, had some stern words for avoiding such mishappenings. He said, “We do it all the time.” and added “Stay off the quarterback. Respect the quarterback. Every player knows how important those quarterbacks are, but stay up, stay off them.” 

The pre-season games have shown that they are fully-behind Aaron Rodgers. Fans, however, have to wait a bit longer to see the NFL legend playing in the green and white jersey.

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