Hall of Fame Game Preview
The 2023 NFL season is here. It all kicks off with the New York Jets facing the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland in the annual Hall of Fame Game. This would have been Jets’ fans first chance to see Aaron Rodgers in action but it was announced that the team’s starters would not suit up.
The game is set to take place on Thursday, August 3rd. It will come as a disappointment to Jets fans that the starters are not playing but there are still multiple other storylines to follow for this game.
Can Zach Wilson be an NFL Quarterback?
It is crazy that after just two years in the NFL the number 2 pick from the 2021 NFL Draft is already battling for the backup spot on the team. Zach Wilson was selected ahead of other quarterbacks such as Justin Fields, Mac Jones, and Davis Mills who will all be starters in the NFL for week one.
After this season Wilson will have just one more year to prove he should still be on the roster. Fans may be quick to want to get rid of him with Aaron Rodgers in town but don’t forget that Rodgers is volatile and could retire at any time, especially now in his older age of 39.
There are only three preseason games for each team now so every game will matter for Wilson as he likely won’t get any other shots at playing with Rodgers on the team. It will be very interesting to see if he has improved this year after a rough first two seasons.
Who will the Wide Receivers be in 2023?
This game and the other two preseason games should give us a good indication of who the Jet’s wide receivers will be. We know that Garrett Wilson and free-agent pickup and former teammate of Aaron Rodgers, Allen Lazard, will be on the team come September but who will be the other four to make the team?
Randall Cobb is another former teammate of Rodgers and one of his best friends who will likely make it as well in a lesser role but then there is Mecole Hardman and Corey Davis too. These are two veterans who will be fighting to be the third wide receiver on the team. With Corey Davis making $11 million this season, he will need to have an impressive preseason or he could be let go.
There are also seven other wide receivers currently on the roster that we haven’t mentioned who will be fighting for the final spot. They are mostly rookies but also some veterans looking to make an NFL team.
Overall Thoughts on the Hall of Fame Game
It is a disappointment that the Jets’ starters are not going to play but it will be good to see the young players who are fighting for more snaps or to make the roster. There will also be a ton of position battles that fans can follow highlighted by the HBO show “Hard Knocks” that the Jets will be featured on.
If the Browns play just some of their starters it may be hard for the Jets to win this game but that isn’t what preseason is about. It is about getting your team ready for the upcoming season and this game will at least give Jets’ fans a chance to see their young players and those battling to make the team.
By Jack Stradley, I’m a sports writer always looking for a gripping story and a hot take.