Predicting the AFC East with Aaron Rodgers

Perhaps you’ve heard, the Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers. Shades of 2008, the Packers shipped off their star quarterback to New York in an attempt to move on for the young quarterback they’ve been developing for the past few years.

What does this mean for the AFC East division? Are the Jets the new favorite? The Buffalo Bills are still ridiculously good and the Dolphins are stacked almost everywhere on the roster. Let’s take a look at the landscape of the AFC East division and whether or not we will see a change in power.

Predicting the AFC East with Aaron Rodgers

The Aaron Rodgers Effect in New York

Even if he’s not the back-to-back MVP player, New York online betting sites will be going nuts betting the over on the win total and hedging Super Bowl bets. Rodgers is the best quarterback to play for Mean Green in a long, long time. And that’s considering that he’s past his prime.

The Jets offense has a lot of potential. Last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson 1,104 yards and four touchdowns off of 83 receptions. That was with Zach Wilson leading the way in a group of four starting quarterbacks for the team. That’s not ideal for anyone but Wilson got it done. Suffice to say, Rodgers is better than any quarterback who attempted a pass in 2022.

A stipulation of Rodgers’ interest was that the Jets go get a few of his friends. In response, Alan Lazard is in New York and Randall Cobb is shooting his shot.

An underrated aspect of the Rodgers-to-New York saga is his utilization of the tight end. The Jets have about 15 tight ends on their roster, give or take. In his time in Green Bay, Rodgers loved using guys like Marcedes Lewis, Richard Rogers, and Jermichael Finley. Now, he gets to play with C.J. Uzomah, Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert. Once one truly separates himself, that’s going to be a player to buy into in fantasy.

It’s Good to be King

Despite the Rodgers addition, the Buffalo Bills are kings of the AFC East.

Plain and simple, Josh Allen is still the best quarterback in the division. He’s hitting his stride and he continues to get better. Unfortunately, Rodger is objectively on the back-end of his career. 

Last year, the Bills defense looked okay in spots but when they faced an elite offensive attack in Cincinnati in the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs, they were shredded. Rodgers, with those weapons, could do the same.

The Bills are the favorite to take the division and for good reason. They’re explosive and can hang 40 on just about anyone. They have a bad taste in their mouth from how their last two seasons have ended. They are motivated and will make sure they don’t trip up against divisional opponents. 

The Wild Card

Objectively, Miami’s roster is dangerous. They have an elite pair of receivers in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle who are home run threats on any given play. Their running backs have plenty of experience and each can lead the room and provide the offense with the jump they need.

On defense, oh boy. The Dolphins’ secondary was suspect in 2022. They addressed it. Now, they have Jalen Ramsey, Xavien Howard, Jevon Holland, and second-round pick Cam Smith. They’ll be significantly better.

The question for them will be quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa was able to be an alright distributor of the ball but he doesn’t exactly do anything worth buying into. Not to mention the act that he contemplated retirement after stacking concussions last year.

If Tagovailoa can just stay healthy all year – and avoid underthrowing deep balls – the Dolphins will be okay. They have plenty of talent all over the field and will challenge in every game. 

Verdict

Rodgers going to the Jets is exciting, fun, and must-see TV. He will most certainly have some success because that roster is pretty strong.

Overall, those traits don’t automatically translate to championships. The Bills will continue to rule. However, the Jets and Dolphins will not lie down.

The Jets will likely do well out of the division with Rodgers at quarterback. They finished 7-10 in 2022 with that motley crew of quarterbacks. With the former MVP and champion providing some stability, they’ll at the very least finish with a winning record. The division? Maybe not.