Will Aaron Rodgers Return to Green Bay?

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers left his future open-ended, mentioning retirement as a serious possibility for the third straight year.

“It could be time to step away,” Rodgers said after a 20-16 loss to  the Detroit Lions that eliminated the Packers from the playoff picture in the regular-season finale. “But I could take some time and say, Hell no, I need to go on another run.” 

It’s the third straight offseason in which Rodgers has appeared torn about returning. He reportedly considered a move to the Denver Broncos in the 2022 offseason before inking a three-year, $150-million deal to stay in Green Bay.

A trade is a very real scenario this offseason for Aaron Rodgers. The Packers are expected to move on from certain players. There is $110 million left on his contract and which team could afford it?

There is a real possibility that at some point this offseason, Aaron Rodgers is going to be traded.

Big Ten Signs $7 Billion Deal with Fox, CBS, NBC

The Big Ten has officially completed a new seven-year media rights agreement with FOX, CBS and NBC that will be the richest-ever television agreement for a college athletic league.

The new deal, which is expected to bring in more than $7 billion for the conference, will begin on July 1, 2023 and run through the end of the 2029-30 athletic year.

The Big Ten is projected to eventually distribute between $80 million and $100 million to all 16 of its member schools over the course of the television deal.

CBS, NBC and FOX are all set to carry future Big Ten football championship games as part of the deal, with FOX remaining the conference’s primary broadcast partner, having aired the football title game annually since its initial agreement in 2011.

FOX will broadcast the 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029 Big Ten football championship games — as well as the previously scheduled 2022 title game — and carry between 24-32 football games per season as part of the new deal.

CBS will broadcast the 2024 and 2028 Big Ten title games and broadcast 14-15 games annually.

NBC will broadcast the 2026 Big Ten football championship game and 14-16 games on its linear network, as well as eight annually on its Peacock streaming service.

Burger King Tests New Plant-Based Impossible Original Chick’n Sandwich

For the first time ever, Burger King is offering a plant-based version of their iconic Original Chicken Sandwich with the introduction of the new Impossible Original Chick’n Sandwich at select locations.

The new Impossible Original Chick’n Sandwich features the crispy, juicy taste fans know and expect, but with a seasoned plant-based Impossible chicken patty topped with shredded lettuce and creamy mayonnaise on a toasted sesame seed bun.

Previously, Burger King and Impossible Foods teamed up for the introduction of the plant-based Impossible Whopper in 2019 and testing of Impossible Nuggets made from plants in 2021.

XFL 2023 Season Openers Spark Interest

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57. Now it’s time for the XFL, which kicked off its third iteration at Choctaw Stadium (former home of MLB’s Texas Rangers) in Arlington, Texas.

The first of 10 regular-season four-game slates opened with the Arlington Renegades rallying for a 22-20 win over the Vegas Vipers on Saturday and concluded with the DC Defenders’ 22-18 win over the Seattle Sea Dragons on Sunday night. 

The league co-owned by actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has a number of rule differences from those in the NFL, and those changes added intrigue to the XFL’s opening weekend.

Not only do football fans have the treat of spring football, but the XFL is treating them to an entirely new TV viewing experience.

The live feeds of both teams’ offensive and defensive coordinators calling plays — and then having announcers break down the terminology — adds a unique dimension for those who monitor the dueling strategies during a game.

Is QB Derek Carr an Option for NY Jets?

The Jets are going shopping, seeking to purchase or trade for a starting quarterback to add to a roster they see as missing that most critical ingredient. They will bring in free agent Derek Carr for a visit, although it is believed the Jets have their sights set on landing the biggest fish in the sea: Aaron Rodgers. 

Carr, 31, is certainly an option, given his track record during his nine-year stay with the Raiders, the only NFL team he has played for. 

The Raiders released Carr after he declined to waive his no-trade clause. The timing of the release allowed the Raiders to avoid paying Carr more than $40 million on his contract, which would have become guaranteed if he had remained on the roster. 

The Jets have no plans to go into the 2023 season with Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, as their first option at quarterback after his disastrous 2022 showing. Rodgers remains under contract with the Packers, but most likely not for long. If he becomes available, he instantly would be one of the most heralded players to ever hit the trade market and the Jets would be there with an offer.