Pro Football Hall of Fame Game draws monster ratings for NBC

Big news: people still love football. After months without the NFL on our television screens, fans tuned in to Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns at a high rate.

This year’s first preseason game drew a 3.3 rating, per Sports Media Watch. It also saw an audience of 5.98 million viewers. That’s a 6% increase in rating and a 9% rise in viewership from last year’s game.

The Hall of Fame always serves as the opening preseason game for the NFL. It’s not too shocking that it draws large numbers after fans go without football for months.

Although he didn’t play, there was probably added interest in the Hall of Fame Game because of Aaron Rodgers. The former Green Bay Packers quarterback joined the Jets in the offseason, creating a palpable buzz surrounding the franchise.

The Browns defeated the Jets 21-16 in the first preseason game of the NFL season.

Preseason action really picks up this week, with 16 games scheduled between Thursday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 13. The Browns play the Commanders on Friday, Aug. 11 while the Jets take on the Panthers on Saturday, Aug. 12.

Aaron Rodgers talks 2023 season in Hall of Fame Game interview

Rodgers didn’t step onto the field for the Jets in Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game, but he did answer some questions during the contest. It added an element of interest to those tuned in for the action.

In the offseason, Rodgers debated retirement from the NFL. Obviously, he opted to return for at least another year. He explained that decision.

“Just you know, the love for the game that never went away,” Rodgers said. “It was just thinking about what I wanted life to be like in 2023. This has definitely exceeded all my expectations and all the thoughts that I had in that dark place for those few days.”

The future Hall of Famer also explained why he wanted to play for the Jets after spending his entire career with the Packers.

“I love our team,” Rodgers said. “I love the guys we got. I love the men and women that work for the organization. It’s a really fun environment. I think that’s what you got to do when there’s a big time change in your life. You can resist it or you can just jump in and surrender to the process and all the newness of it and the excitement and it’s been a lot of fun just being around these young guys and being around a team that’s really hungry. 

“They had some success last year, obviously finished rough, but the pieces are in place. And Robert (Saleh) has done an incredible job of putting the staff together, encouraged these guys, have pushed these guys, hold them accountable. I’m just, you know, just a cog in that wheel. And then I know my role and it’s an important one but I’m excited to get the live ones going and this is fun. I mean football is back. You know it’s August, it’s training camp, but it’s an exciting time of the year.”