There is no denying that the Metropolis received a massive boost in confidence with the arrival of their new quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. The 4x NFL MVP brings with him the hopes of another Super Bowl for the organization, having last won it more than half a century ago. However, despite the vantage point gained at the quarterback position, the Jets still find themselves lagging in one department to teams like Pat Mahomes’ Chiefs or Josh Allen’s Bills. And this shortcoming was highlighted further this week as the NFL released the team schedules for 2023.

According to former Jets and Washington QB, Ryan Fitzpatrick, that department is ‘experience’. More specifically, prime time game experience. The Aaron Rodgers effect is in full swing for the Broadway fan base. However, Fitzpatrick thinks that the Jets team isn’t ready to handle the added spotlight and pressure.

Aaron Rodgers is not at the sweetest scheduling spot with the Jets

The New York Jets haven’t made the postseason since 2010. Their last championship was Super Bowl III. Understandably, the Jets weren’t the team that people desperately tuned in to watch. That’s why the franchise only enjoyed one prime-time game last year and only 10 in the last six years. All that changed with the arrival of Super Bowl XLV MVP Aaron Rodgers. This year, the NFL has assigned six prime-time spots for the Gang Green. While the New York fan base is ecstatic, Ryan Fitzpatrick thinks it could be a problem for the young Jets group.

“The Jets this year are gonna have to adjust. With the Aaron Rodgers factor, you know a lot of those guys haven’t played any prime-time games in the last few years of their young careers. So it’s gonna be an adjustment for them. Then you’ve got Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Those two teams. Kansas City and Buffalo. They are like okay, we’re gonna have five or six a year,” Fitzpatrick said.

The Jets’ first prime time slot comes in the opening week MNF clash against the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen has taken his team to the postseason every year since 2019. And Fitzpatrick won’t be the only one to pick the Bills for this fierce matchup between the AFC East rivals.

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Besides the two MNF fixtures, two Sunday Night Football games, and one Saturday night prime-time spot, the Jets will also play in the first Black Friday game after Thanksgiving against the Miami Dolphins.

Things only get trickier down the road for the Jets

The Jets are on an eight-game losing streak in prime-time games since 2018. And the early part of the 2023 season will bring in a few more challenges for Aaron Rodgers and his new team. Namely, the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2, and Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. Patrick Mahomes has seen postseason success in every year he has started, winning the franchise’s second Lombardi in the last four years. Surely, the Jets core won’t be as adept at handling the pressure of prime-time fixtures as the battle-hardened Chiefs.

Their quarterback woes from last season are slightly in the rearview, with Aaron Rodgers manning the pocket now. However, Rodgers has also not won a championship since 2010, the same year the Jets last played in the playoffs. Will this be a fortunate coincidence for the Gang Green or will their postseason drought carry on because of the scheduling?

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