Jets '1 Of 10' True Super Bowl Contenders,' Says Aaron Rodgers in Crafty Hype Statement

AUG 2 ONE OF 10 Monday night will be a marquee game. Troy Aikman. Joe Buck. National TV. And the Jets and the 49ers.

Expectations in New York are high ... in part because Aaron Rodgers has pushed them up there - maybe on purpose.

"I'm always confident, you know me, I feel like if I'm on the field and doing what I'm capable of doing, No. 1, we've always got a chance," Rodgers said recently on SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio . "And No. 2, more than that, we're one of those, you know, half dozen to 10 teams that can actually win a championship this year. So that's what's exciting."

There is, we think, a method to Aaron's madness. He is putting it into words, making it not a dream but a statement. He is telling his teammates they can be "A students,'' because of you tell a student he's "only capable of a C,'' guess what he'll likely settle for?

It's a psych job by the 40-year-old leader. And it's a sly one.

AUG 2 SHOCKER? The Buffalo Bills are a "dynasty,'' such as it is, in the AFC East. They have won the division for each of the last four seasons. So when ESPN predicts that their run is about to end? That's notable.

But when ESPN predicts the Bills will miss the playoffs entirely? That's nuts. Right?

“This roster is shakier than in years past after the departures of Stefon Diggs , Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Tre'Davious White and others. (Linebacker Matt Milano is also out indefinitely with a torn biceps.),” Mike Clay writes. “Of course, coach Sean McDermott has done more with less before, and Josh Allen is still the quarterback, so the Bills remain a threat.”

Buffalo has plenty to prove, no doubt. But in fairness - as Jets fans assume that the Bills' closing window opens up New York's - don't the Jets have even more to prove?

SEPT 1 PEARSALL UPDATE Niners rookie Ricky Pearsall was randomly shot during a weekend robbery attempt in San Francisco, with his mom now stating he is "extremely lucky" to have survived the incident.

Erin Pearsall is offering an update on the status of her son, who is presently in serious but stable condition after being shot in the chest.

"Update on my baby boy," Erin Pearsall wrote. "First and far most I want to thank GOD for protecting my baby boy. He is extremely lucky, GOD shielded him. He was shot in the chest and it exited out his back. He is in good spirits right now. Life is so precious my friends. Please love each other. My son was spared today by the grace of GOD. Please pray for my baby."

The Niners open the season against the Jets on "Monday Night Football,'' and of course all involve are thinking about the Pearsall family at this time.

AUG 29 CONTRACT DRAMA Is the Haason Reddick thing ugly. Sure. But there is ugly all around, witness what's going on in San Francisco.

Star Brandon Aiyuk wants a new contract or a trade. The 49ers say they are trying to do right by him, somehow. So coach Kyle Shanahan - prepping the Niners to play at the Jets in the Week 1 NFL opener on Monday, Sept. 9 - expected him at practice on Wednesday.

Aiyuk wasn't at practice on Wednesday.

Aiyuk didn't practice during training camp or the preseason, either, all fine-worthy offenses. But as Week 1 approaches? The 49ers' work to get ready for the Jets is likely impacted ... same with star offensive lineman Trent Williams, as he's holding out for a new contract, as well.

AUG 26 THE BEST Jets linebacker Quincy Williamswas a first-team All-Pro last year, putting up big numbers ... but he is something short of a household name.

Williams seems intent on changing that this season.

“My biggest thing this year is ‘Leave no doubt ,’” Williams said. “For me to leave no doubt that no one feels like I’m not the best linebacker, I have to get better every single day.”

The Jets have assembled a unit that they believe might make this the NFL's best defense. If that ends up being true? Williams will be a cornerstone of it all. And at that time, he will surely be not only a Pro Bowler plus ... but a guy seen by many as "the best.''

AUG 15 OVER/UNDER CBS Sports' Will Brunson has the Bills' over/under win projection set at 10.5 wins and predicts Buffalo to have a 10-7 record in 2024. ... which, he says, puts them just ahead of the Jets and the Dolphins.

"Josh Allen is my MVP pick this year, and part of that is him having a division-winning, toss-the-team-on-my-back season after the Bills traded Stefon Diggs this offseason," Brunson wrote .

A 10-7 season would mean another playoff visit for Allen and the Bills, assuming Brunson's predictions for the rest of the AFC East - the New Jets are projected to have a 9-8 season, the same as the Miami Dolphins, with the New England Patriots at 5-12 - are correct.

AUG 14 GOODBYE, HELLO? It was almost exactly a year ago when Corey Davis said goodbye to the NFL.

But this week ... 'Un-Retiring''?

Davis had a workout with the Jets rival Buffalo Bills on Wednesday in an apparent comeback attempt for the former Titans first-round pick who played for Tennessee and for the Jets.

Davis was picked No. 5 overall by the Titans in 2017.

AUG 12 THE WAVE What advice did Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels get from Aaron Rodgers following the Commanders losing 20-17 to the New York Jets to open the preseason?

“Don't ride the wave,'' Rodgers told the rookie, per Daniels. "Obviously he's been in this league, played at the high level for many years ... Kind of just say, 'You're going to have ups and downs your rookie year, don't ride the wave and just stay the course, and everything will work out.”

AUG 11 LAZARD TO EAGLES? To be clear, this is a "media proposal,'' not a team proposal.

But it's floating around out there: The Philadelphia Eagles should add to a wideout room presently topped by AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith by calling the New York Jets on vet Allen Lazard.

We're not sure why the Eagles are listed as a possible landing spot for Lazard by USA Today. ... but if there is any fire beneath the smoke?

We wonder - beyond the cap savings of moving Lazard - what the Jets get out of this "proposal.'' USA Today wants Philly to trade a "late-round pick'' for Lazard. ... But maybe they should ask his buddy Aaron Rodgers ...

Would you rather have Lazard now?

Or a "late-round pick'' for a time when you might no longer even be here?

AUG 10 – RODGERS RAMP UP – The New York Giants played their first preseason game on Thursday, beginning their summer circuit that will end on Aug. 24 against the New York Jets.

While the Jets begin their preseason on Saturday, they’ll do so without quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He’s healthy, nearly a year removed from his Achilles tear, but New York is taking every precaution. However, the Jets generally like to play their starters in the final preseason game.

Recently, head coach Robert Saleh spoke about that possibility.

“We haven’t had final decisions yet at all with regards to the third game,” Saleh said, via SNY. “You guys know me, the third game is usually when we like to play our guys and depending on how today went, how Saturday goes, and next week’s work with the Panthers and the following week with the Giants, I’ll make that decision.”

On whether or not that meant there’s a chance he lets Rodgers play, Saleh was brief, but seemingly open-minded.

“Yeah.”

Last year, Rodgers played well against the Giants, including a moment of trash talk with defensive lineman Jihad Ward. New York will have to wait and see if some exhibition game revenge is in store.