One of the biggest 2023 NFL season storylines likely happened in the first week of an 18-week season with star quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffering a season-ending injury.
The injury impacted betting odds for the New York Jets and could have an impact on its current postseason drought.
What Happened: In the opening Monday Night Football game of the 2023 NFL season, Rodgers tore his left Achilles. The injury happened only four offensive plays into the Jets and Rodgers’ 2023 NFL season.
The blame game has gone around with the field conditions of MetLife Stadium and the poor blocking of the Jets offensive line each getting their share of attention.
A conservative television host has another person to blame with Rodgers himself the target of the criticism.
“He lost the eye of the tiger, a competitive quarterback can’t be all happy and goofy all the time,” Newsmax host Greg Kelly said. “Something happened to this guy and I think I know what it was: drugs.”
The comments from Kelly, reported by Awful Announcing, saw the conservative host blaming Rodgers' past use of psychedelics, including ayahuasca tea.
“That gives you this, oh I love you bro mentality. He took it and he encouraged others to do the same. I thought it was a very harmful message.”
Kelly played a clip of Rodgers discussing his past use of ayahuasca tea, where he discussed self-love and healing and helping to see how to unconditionally love himself and others.
After playing the clip, Kelly shared his criticism of Rodgers and what the quarterback should have been focused on to prevent injury.
“How about going to church, whatever the hell he’s talking about, ayahuasca tea is a crummy substitute for God.”
Rodgers was asked about Kelly’s comments during an interview on the Pat McAfee Show and hit back at the Newsmax host.
“What’s that guy’s name?” Rodgers asked host Pat McAfee.
After hearing his name again, Rodgers replied with “Bum.”
Rodgers also hit back at criticism from Keith Olbermann, who highlighted the quarterback’s anti-COVID-19 vaccine stance after his injury.
“Get your fifth booster, Keith, BUM,” Rodgers added.
Related Link: Aaron Rodgers Talks Ayahuasca And Empathy: 'Real Compassion Is You Get Right Down There And Cry The Same Tears'
What’s Next: Rodgers recently received an innovative surgery on his Achilles that could accelerate the recovery timeline and have the quarterback back for the Jets in January, in time for an NFL Playoffs run.
The Jets quarterback also hinted that whatever the timeline for his recovery is, he could be making a return in a Jets uniform and won’t be retiring.
“Give me the doubts…give me the things that you think can, should, or will happen. All I need is that one little extra percent of inspiration. That’s all I need,” Rodgers said on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
The big question mark is if the Jets can make the playoffs without Rodgers. The team is currently committed to the backup quarterback and number two overall 2021 draft pick Zach Wilson.
Jets coach Robert Saleh was committed to Wilson moving forward after Rodgers' injury but added the team might bring in a veteran quarterback down the road.
After beating the Buffalo Bills in a week 1 overtime thriller, the Jets lost their week two matchup with the Dallas Cowboys 30 to 10.
The Cowboys and Jets game, which aired on Fox Corporation FOXFOXA unit Fox for much of the nation, saw the Jets score 10 points in the second of four quarters, getting shut out in the second half of the game.
Wilson completed 12 of 27 passes for 170 yards and threw for one touchdown, while also throwing three interceptions. In his two games, Wilson has a 54% completion rate, 310 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and four interceptions.
Wilson’s quarterback rating of 53.3 ranks second to last in the 2023 NFL season, beating only Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young (48.8).
The Jets came into the 2023 NFL season with high hopes from fans and sportsbooks. The team was ranked as a top 10 contender to win Super Bowl LVIII with odds of +1600.
After Rodgers' injury, the betting odds shifted dramatically at sportsbooks such as DraftKings Inc DKNG, where the Jets fell to +6,000 to win Super Bowl LVIII.
The loss to the Cowboys on Sunday has sent Jets odds down even further. The Jets currently are listed at +7,000 to win Super Bowl LVIII.
The team is listed with the fourth-best odds to win the AFC East at +1,500, trailing the Miami Dolphins (+105), Buffalo Bills (+110) and New England Patriots (+1,200).
In the preseason, the Jets were listed as second in the AFC East odds at +270, trailing only the Bills (+120).
For week 3 of the NFL season, the Jets are currently two-point underdogs in their matchup against the 0-2 New England Patriots.
The Jets have the longest postseason drought of all the major North American sports teams (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL).
Want to hear more about psychedelics like ayahuasca or cannabis use? Come join the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago Sept. 27-28.
Photos: Brewing ayahuasca; Rodgers via Shutterstock
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