Rodgers loves Jets' prime-time games: 'People want to see me play'

Aaron Rodgers is excited about the New York Jets playing several prime-time games again this season.

"I love it," the four-time NFL MVP recently said on "Mad Dog Sports Radio." "We are must-watch TV. That's pretty obvious, everybody knows that. Whether you love me or hate me, people want to see me play. They enjoy watching me play. And we are a team to watch this year. Not surprising."

The NFL gave the Jets six prime-time games in 2024, tied with the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys for the most in the league. That number can still rise because of the NFL's flex scheduling. New York is the first team in the Super Bowl era to receive that many games in prime time within the season's first 11 weeks.

New York will kick things off in the first Monday Night Football of the campaign versus San Francisco. The game will mark Rodgers' return from injury after he went down with an Achilles ailment four snaps into his Jets debut in the 2023 season's first MNF.

"Make it difficult, let's see how we stack up against the top teams in the league," Rodgers said. "San Fran 100% will be one of the top teams in the NFL."

The Jets have failed to make the playoffs since the 2010 season.

Mike North, the NFL's vice president of broadcast partners, recently said that the league still has high expectations for Rodgers and that the Jets "owe us one" after it gave New York several prime-time contests in 2023.

"As far as us owing people, that's fine, whatever," Rodgers said. "I don't care what anybody has to say about that. It was shitty for me, it was rough for the league, I get it, me only playing a few plays last year. That's going to be different this year. What happens when we pay them back this year with six great prime-time games? What are they going to say next year?"

Owners of an elite defense, the Jets once again added high-profile pieces to their offense this offseason. New York signed two-time 1,000-yard receiver Mike Williams and All-Pro offensive tackle Tyron Smith, among others.