The Green Bay Packers have an immense level of confidence in themselves going into the 2023 season. Elgton Jenkins said earlier this week that their expectation, at the minimum, is to win the NFC North division. However, many fans and analysts to do not share that confidence.
On the other hand, the New York Jets, once they acquired Aaron Rodgers via trade from Green Bay, became popular picks to go to the Super Bowl.
Staff writers and NFL insiders from The Athletic, however, think neither popular evaluation of the teams are correct.
Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets Were Named One of the NFL’s Most Overhyped Teams

After the Jets’ disappointing 2022 season, many felt that they were just a decent quarterback away from competing for a Super Bowl, hence the hype following the Rodgers trade.
However, The Athletic is encouraging fans to pump the brakes a bit on those expectations:
“It feels like everyone’s jumping on that J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets bandwagon. The buzz is understandable given that Aaron Rodgers is the most talented quarterback the Jets have had in a generation.
“But did the acquisition of the 39-year-old, four-time league MVP really make the Jets Super Bowl contenders? Simple answer: probably not. While many around the league believe he certainly gives the Jets a legitimate chance, it’s a tall feat.
“The instant success experienced by Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in 2020 is rare.
“Rodgers knows the playbook that Nathaniel Hackett brings with him from Green Bay after a brief detour in Denver. But chemistry could take time to develop, and Father Time is undefeated.
“Is Rodgers still physically and mentally at a level where he can take over games? That’s the great unknown. And are the Jets and Rodgers really better top to bottom than the elite teams in the conference (Chiefs, Bengals, Bills, etc.)? Not likely.”
Remember, the players that followed Rodgers to New York: Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Billy Turner, Adrian Amos, Tim Boyle, and Malik Taylor are not really difference makers themselves. Sure, Rodgers is a better quarterback than Zach Wilson, but has the rest of the team improved?
Not really. The Jets could be better in 2023, but they play in one of the toughest divisions in football. Six games against the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, and Miami Dolphins may sink their season quickly.
Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers Are Overlooked

The Packers are an incredibly young team with a first-year starting quarterback and no pass catchers with a full year of NFL experience. However, they have a stout offensive line and a dynamic one-two punch at the running back position.
Is it possible that people are sleeping on the Packers to be good? The Athletic think it’s possible:
“Rodgers’ departure seemingly opens the door for anyone to win the NFC North, a division the Packers had won for three straight seasons until the Vikings ended the streak last year. But if Jordan Love is as good as Green Bay brass believes, it’s quite possible this team avoids regression.
“Love knows Matt LaFleur’s offense well. With a year of experience gained, the Packers’ young wide receivers should perform more effectively and consistently this season. And the Packers are loaded on defense, boasting seven first-round picks.
“Green Bay also has what looks like a soft schedule, with only six of its games coming against 2022 playoff teams. The Packers are hungry to defy expectations that they’ll experience a significant drop-off with Rodgers now in New York.”
The key is going to be the defense. They actually have eight first round picks (though whether or not Eric Stokes and/or Rashan Gary will be healthy to start the season remains to be seen). Regardless, the truth is that Green Bay has invested an immense amount of premium draft capital in the defense.
In other words, they are too talented to be as bad as they have been. The onus is on Joe Barry to figure out how to best use the players and to maximize their talents. If he can’t do that, he’ll be out of a job and the Packers will struggle.
If he can even put a top-15 defense out there, Green Bay could be a playoff team.
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