The NFL has released its full preseason schedule, exactly three months from the start of the 2023-24 season, with all eyes set to be on Aaron Rodgers as the New York Jets face the Cleveland Browns in the Hall of Fame Game in August.
The schedule’s release comes three weeks after former Browns offensive linesman Joe Thomas was voted as a first-ballot enshrinee in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.
The Jets weren’t randomly selected either as this year’s class also features two former Jets, cornerback Darrelle Revis and defensive lineman Joe Klecko.
The anticipated induction date for the class is two days after the preseason game, which will take place in Canton, Ohio, on August 3.
The Browns’ selection for the game means they’ll play four preseason games, one more than the standard three games.
The NFL released its preseason schedule — three months before season start on September 7
New Jets QB Aaron Rodgers is expected to feature in the contest, which will be shown on NBC
The Pro Football Hall of Fame game will be played in Canton, Ohio, on August 3
It’ll be the sixth time that the Browns will participate in a Hall of Fame Game and the first time since 1999. They were previously involved in 1963, 1967, 1981 and 1990.
The second preseason game that’ll be broadcasted on national TV is the Baltimore Ravens against the Washington Commanders.
Then, it comes as no surprise that two out of three Week 3 games will include one of the first three quarterbacks drafted in the first round of the 2023 Draft.
The Carolina Panthers, who picked Bryce Young at No. 1, will take on the Detroit Lions, while the Houston Texans, who drafted C.J. Stroud at No. 2 and Will Anderson Jr. at No. 3, will play against the New Orleans Saints.
Rodgers, 39, acquired by New York from Green Bay in April, tweaked his right calf during warmups on May 23 – the first practice open to reporters since the trade. He was mostly a spectator last Tuesday when the media returned, spending time with trainers and on the stationary bike before throwing some passes on the side.
Rodgers got back on the field last Friday, and has been practicing since. The four-time NFL MVP still isn’t a full participant just yet, though. He’s doing everything – drills, 7-on-7s, two-minute plays, red zone – except for 11-on-11 team drills.
‘Anything team, where people are going to be around his legs, we’ve been holding him out on that stuff,’ Saleh said.
A few dozen reporters and TV camera crews were back in full force Tuesday after the Jets tweeted a few throws from Rodgers in practice Monday – including a perfectly placed spiral to tight end C.J. Uzomah.
Rodgers (8), center right, greets Quincy Williams (56), center left, at Jets practice on Tuesday
Rodgers (8) throws a pass during a drill in front of Jets coach Robert Saleh at practice, Tuesday
‘That was a dirty throw,’ Saleh said.
It’s still only June, of course, and training camp isn’t for another six weeks – and the regular-season opener is three months away. But Rodgers continues to make an early impact on his new teammates.
‘He makes a difference with his confidence, he makes a difference with his communication and he makes a difference with his high level of play,’ left guard Laken Tomlinson said.
‘It’s truly special working with someone of that caliber and it makes everyone be on their A-game every day.’
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