Senior NFL writer offers bold Aaron Rodgers, media prediction

Sports Illustrated NFL senior writer Conor Orr believes New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will avoid negative headlines throughout his first season with the organization. 

"Rodgers will not be rolled up in any scandal," Orr wrote for his "100 bold predictions for the 2023 NFL season" piece published this week. "The legendary quarterback has his eyes on legacy and understands that succumbing to a New York tabloid burial is the quickest way to alter long-term perception."

Across his final few years with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers wasn't shy about voicing his opinions on subjects such as COVID-19 vaccines and his use of ayahuasca, a plant-based psychedelic tea. The four-time NFL Most Valuable Player also has a history of blasting reporters and league insiders who aren't in his "inner circle." 

In addition, a former teammate said Rodgers discussed conspiracy theories regarding the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with him. James Dator of SB Nation mentioned Rodgers' first regular-season game will occur when the Jets host the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11 this year. 

New York Giants legends Michael Strahan and Tiki Barber are among the noteworthy members of the football community who suggested Rodgers' relationship with the New York media will eventually go south, in part because the 39-year-old is too "sensitive" to handle what he could deem to be aggressive questions during news conferences. Orr thinks the future Hall of Famer will be just fine, though.

"...Proving a model citizen in the world’s biggest media market would probably also help whitewash some of his more controversial statements of the past," Orr wrote. 

Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post and others have noted Rodgers has thus far been overly pleasant with the media following his move from the Packers to the Jets. Eventually, Rodgers will encounter a question he doesn't want to answer, and how he responds to that moment could go a long way in proving Orr right or wrong.