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Episode 1 of Hard Knocks 2023 promised a lot with Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets being featured, and it certainly did not disappoint. It acts as yet another marker that the new season is near.
The premiere saw the Jets acting and behaving like Super Bowl favorites.
Here are some of the takeaways after the first installment of Hard Knocks for 2023:
#1 - Aaron Rodgers and Zach Wilson forming quite a bond
When Aaron Rodgers was signed by the Jets in the offseason, there was a doubt about what that meant for Zach Wilson. As a former first-round pick, here was a young quarterback who was supposed to be the face of the franchise. Yet, he was now quite clearly the backup quarterback.
There could have been thoughts that this will lead to friction in the team. However, none of that has transpired. Instead, Rodgers has become a guiding figure for Zach Wilson. The backup quarterback admitted on Hard Knocks Episode 1 that he had found the initiation into the NFL tough coming from college football.
He said:
"Honestly, things kinda felt like they were maybe getting a little bit worse each week and confidence was going down... so, not always fun."
Now, he seems to be enjoying playing behind and learning from a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback. It kind of is the same situation where Rodgers found himself with Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers.
There was one instance where during the Hall of Fame game against the Cleveland Browns, it was revealed that the 57-yard bomb that Zach Wilson threw was called by the starting quarterback instead of the offensive coordinator.
In other instances, the two can be seen joking around and the senior quarterback complementing the younger player on his skills and imparting him with the confidence that he lacked.
Coach Robert Saleh himself commented how Zach Wilson has embraced the role of a backup where he can learn from Aaron Rodgers.
#2 - Aaron Rodgers experiences a fanboy moment with Liev Schreiber in Episode 1
As impressed as Wilson is with Rodgers, the Jets No. 8 was equally impressed with Liev Schreiber. The popular narrator arrived on the practice field in a helicopter in Episode 1 and it was clear to see that the great quarterback was enamored with him.
Notably, Rodgers had previously said that the only thing he likes about Hard Knocks is Lieve Schreiber.
And when he duly got to meet him, he said:
"I've been a fan of yours forever".
It is fair to say that Schreiber was enjoying the experience too and got chatting with Rodgers.
#3 - Robert Saleh is confident in his team
The team goes where the coach goes. As good a roster as one might have, it is tough to make anything of it unless the coach does not make the best of the ingredients they have in front of them.
Robert Saleh seemed to embrace the fact that the New York Jets are now Super Bowl favorites and behaved accordingly in Episode 1.
He narrated a story about how an eagle fends off a crow by not hitting back but by soaring higher and higher till the smaller aggressor falls off dead due to being unable to climb the heights that its opponent does.
Maybe there is something for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens to chew over, but for the moment, he used it to motivate his charges.
Throughout Hard Knocks Episode 1, Robert Saleh can be seen relaxed and getting the feel for this team and believing in them.
#4 - The Kids Are Alright: Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson feature prominently
One area where Robert Saleh genuinely believes in his team beyond Aaron Rodgers is the two NFL Rookies of the Year from last season. Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner feature prominently.
In a sneak peek that was released before but was worth watching again, the two of them go head-to-head. It is clear to see their mutual admiration and the coaches agree as they say that they will make each other great.
In addition to what these two young superstars do on the field, there are more informal moments that they share off the screen on Hard Knocks Episode 1.
Garrett Wilson, as a wide receiver, is thrilled to have Aaron Rodgers there and said:
"I remember him winning a Super Bowl, so for me, I'm like, 'How can I learn as much as possible while he is here?' I don't know how big this window is and how can I make sure I get the most out of it. ...We have this blessing around in Aaron."
With Sauce Gardner, we see him at his graduation and Rodgers giving him the highest vote of confidence one can. At the Hall of Fame game against the Cleveland Browns, the quarterback says that the cornerback will be among the enshrinees one day.
#5 - Spare a thought for the Green Bay Packers fans
While the Green Bay Packers fans are excited about quarterback Jordan Love, it is hard not to feel a pang of disbelief seeing Rodgers in a Jets jersey.
Fans on social media were all disbelieving as they saw their former quarterback don a different color and a different number.
Annie Agar, one of the most prominent fans of the franchise on social media, conveyed exactly how she felt:
It was not an isolated sentiment, even though fans of other teams seemed to universally enjoy Hard Knocks Episode 1 of 2023.
Now, it is up to Aaron Rodgers to really rub it in by winning the Super Bowl or for Jordan Love to counter that perception by becoming the next great quarterback in Titletown.
