Why don’t the New York Jets & Aaron Rodgers want to be featured in HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’?
The Jets’ new star left no doubt about where he stands on his team being the focus of HBO’s hit show, though he did admit that he understands the reason why.
Whether it’s their team or not, it’s clear that football fans love the intimate look inside of teams that HBO’s reality series ‘Hard Knocks’ offers. On the other hand, it’s also clear that some teams and players don’t enjoy being looked in on.
Aaron Rodgers pushes back on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’
You may have caught our recent report about HBO’s announcement that the New York Jets would be the featured team in the latest season of their hit reality show, ‘Hard Knocks’. The show which offers a behind-the-scenes look at a different NFL team each season, has become a staple for football fans. Yet, despite the fanfare, it appears that the Jets aren’t happy about the move and that also applies to four-time league MVP and their newest signing, Aaron Rodgers. Speaking with the media earlier this week, the star quarterback was frank about his feelings, though he did admit he understood the reasoning behind HBO’s choice.
“I understand the appeal with us,” Rodgers said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of eyes on me. A lot of eyes on our team. A lot of expectations for our squad. They forced it down our throats and we gotta deal with it.” Interestingly, it wasn’t all negative feedback as Rodgers also disclosed that he loves the voice of the narrator of ‘Hard Knocks’, actor Liev Schreiber. So much so in fact that Rodgers even referred to Schreiber as “the voice of god” before adding that he hopes to meet him during the process of production. By his post on Twitter, Schreiber seems to like the idea.
It’s not just about Aaron Rodgers
Regardless of his star power, the former Green Bay Packers signal-caller is a new acquisition for the Jets. That’s worth noting because the Jets previously made it clear that they didn’t want to be part of the show. Not only did head coach Robert Saleh express his displeasure just last month when he told the media that “there are several teams that would love for ‘Hard Knocks’ to be in their building. We’re just not one of them,” but there was also Pro Bowl special teamer Justin Hardee who tweeted his opposition in April. Hardee explained in his post that “Hard Knocks” should pick another team because the show would only distract the Jets.
Ok, so Aaron Rodgers is a factor
Though Rodgers is the new kid on the block in New York, the reality is we’re talking about a Super Bowl winner (2010) and one of the best quarterbacks in the league across more than the last decade. This is to say that his appeal is obvious. Yet, we’ve also got to be honest about the fact that New York’s team is simply loaded with talent and they’re young to boot. From wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall, to cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who just signed a huge extension, this is a team that was already looking like a contender before they went out and acquired Rodgers. Lastly, we’ve got the city itself, as the ‘Big Apple’ is a market like no other. Ultimately, the whole thing is a recipe for success as far as TV is concerned. So, as much as Rodgers and Co. may not like the idea, something tells us we’re in for a good time when the show finally airs.