Aaron Rodgers’ quest to show Jets into contenders is NFL’s high storyline coming into the season

One No. 12 began the clock on the countdown to his gold jacket and one other switched numbers, conferences and shades of inexperienced.

The largest storyline within the first NFL season this century with out Tom Brady facilities on Aaron Rodgers’ quest to show the New York Jets right into a championship contender. The 39-year-old, four-time NFL MVP left Green Bay for a crew that hasn’t reached the playoffs for the reason that 2010 season and hasn’t received a Super Bowl since Broadway Joe Namath assured yet another than 50 years in the past.

Rodgers has loads of expertise surrounding him however the Jets play in one of many hardest divisions within the league and a convention loaded with contenders, together with the defending Super Bowl champions.

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are aiming to turn into the primary crew to win consecutive titles since Brady led the New England Patriots to back-to-back rings in 2003-04. The Chiefs have dominated the AFC West beneath coach Andy Reid, capturing seven straight division crowns and internet hosting 5 consecutive convention championships.

Plenty of groups are standing in Kansas City’s path to a different deep run in January.

Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are primed to return to the Super Bowl after falling quick two years in the past. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are beneath strain to get there after shedding within the divisional around the previous two seasons.

PHOTOS: Aaron Rodgers’ quest to show Jets into contenders is NFL’s high storyline coming into the season

Sean Payton joined the Denver Broncos, hoping to assist Russell Wilson regain his Pro Bowl kind and switch the Denver Broncos into winners.

Doug Pederson, who received a Super Bowl in his second season in Philadelphia, will attempt to information Jacksonville to make the same leap after rapidly rebuilding Urban Meyer’s mess and main the Jaguars to a playoff victory.

Then there’s Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins.

And that’s simply the AFC contenders.

Fewer groups enter the season with a reliable probability to win all of it, thought it appears there’s at all times a shock crew. Last yr, it was the Philadelphia Eagles. Jalen Hurts and the stacked Eagles are hungry to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy after losing a late lead in a 38-35 loss to Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Dak Prescott, Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys are feeling strain to steer America’s Team again to glory for the primary time in additional than 25 years.

The San Francisco 49ers have a dominant protection, versatile offense and quarterback Brock Purdy is wholesome once more.

Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions are getting loads of hype. Perhaps they will overtake the Minnesota Vikings and make a robust playoff push.

Five groups have first-year head coaches, together with the Broncos who satisfied Payton to finish his one-year broadcasting stint and return to the sideline. Payton received a Super Bowl with Drew Brees in New Orleans and is aware of what it takes to get Wilson and the Broncos again to prominence.

The Carolina Panthers employed former Colts coach Frank Reich to steer a rebuild behind No. 1 total choose Bryce Young. They’ve received a shot to compete in a weak NFC South.

AP Assistant Coach of the Year DeMeco Ryans took over in Houston. The Texans made daring strikes to get QB C.J. Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson with picks Nos. 2-3 within the draft.

A pair of former Eagles coordinators received the highest job with groups that want a brand new course. Shane Steichen landed in Indianapolis, which begins the season with rookie QB Anthony Richardson and with out disgruntled star working again Jonathan Taylor. Jonathan Gannon went to Arizona, which is wanting towards the longer term and gathering draft capital.

While Rodgers was the most important title to vary groups, a couple of extra completed QBs received a recent begin.

Derek Carr traded the silver and black for gold and black in New Orleans. The Saints are the front-runner in a division that didn’t have a successful crew in 2022.

Baker Mayfield joins Carr within the NFC South, taking up for Brady in Tampa Bay. He has an opportunity to resurrect his profession with the Buccaneers, who nonetheless have playmakers on offense and protection.

Jimmy Garoppolo ended up in Las Vegas, reuniting with Josh McDaniels. All Garoppolo does is win. He’s 44-19, together with playoffs. Getting the Raiders over .500 is perhaps his hardest activity but.

The NFL is coming off a record-setting season full of shut video games and dramatic finishes. Among the data set in 2022 have been most video games determined by six or fewer factors (122), by seven or fewer factors (141) and eight or fewer factors (156); most video games through which crew overcame deficit of 10 or extra factors to win or tie (52); most video games through which groups got here again to win after trailing in fourth quarter (85).

The marathon begins Sept. 7 when the Lions go to the Chiefs within the first of 544 NFL video games.