'Hard Knocks' season premieres with heavy focus on Aaron Rodgers

Did you know that Aaron Rodgers is a New York Jet?

"Hard Knocks '23: Training Camp with the New York Jets" premiered on HBO and Max on Tuesday with the four-time MVP the main attraction, much as he's been since he arrived in New York. He even made a new best friend in "Hard Knocks" narrator Liev Schrieber.

If there was any doubt about who runs the team, the program made it clear from the jump that the Jets revolve around Rodgers.

"He's obviously the best quarterback I've had on the team," head coach Robert Saleh told producers, adding franchise quarterbacks on Rodgers' level "change entire locker rooms."

During a defensive meeting, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich reviewed film from practice and expressed relief that the only time his unit will face Rodgers this season is in practice. "He's ours," he happily said.

When lineman Tanzel Smart wasn't mispronouncing "charcuterie" as "carchoochie," fellow lineman Al Woods made sure to remind everyone, "Whatever they say about Aaron Rodgers on TV is a lie."

The first episode also spent time examining Sauce Gardner's and Garrett Wilson's rise, as well as Zach Wilson's fall, last season.

But the majority of the first episode was dedicated to Rodgers, which is fitting considering he defined the Jets' offseason.

However, it would be nice if future episodes focus on more than just him. The first episode had more mentions of Rodgers' former Packers teammate Bryan Bulaga than it did of the Jets' offensive line, for example.

The show, like the Jets, will only be better if it gets more contributions from a larger portion of the team.