The NFL is Back!
What to expect in the first football action in over five months
It’s been a while, but football is finally back! If you haven’t heard the NFL’s highly anticipated Hall of Fame Game is happening on Thursday, August 3, and will feature the New York Jets against the Cleveland Browns.
While it’s only a preseason game, I’m sure that most fans will be satisfied enough to be able to watch some form of pro football. At least in my case, I know that I will be tuning in and using the time to scout out some future fantasy studs.
Before I get too off-topic, let’s dive into the details. As I said earlier the game will start on Thursday, August 3 at 8:00 PM EST. Since it's a preseason game, the teams must keenly decide who they want to play. For now, let’s focus on who is not going to play.
The Jets Benching their Core
When asked who will play in the game, Jets’ Coach Robert Saleh shared some insight, saying that almost all of the core guys likely won’t play. This means that Aaron Rodgers, Garret Wilson, Sauce Gardner, and likely more exciting players won’t have a chance to showcase their improvements just yet.
While this may seem like a bummer, let’s look at the bright side. Zach Wilson, the Jets’ former second-overall pick, is likely to start the game and can finally back up all the talk he has emphasized over the past year. I’m sure we all remember when he said he would make his competing quarterback life’s “hell.” Aaron Rodgers likely wasn’t the quarterback Wilson expected to engage with, but maybe this lit the fire for Wilson to actually become a competent NFL QB.
Another player who I’m excited to watch is actually the Jets’ offensive lineman, Mekhi Becton. In the 2020 draft, Becton was taken with the 11th overall pick and had high expectations. But now, he is competing for a first-team spot and a contract. On Thursday, a good showing may give him the chance to rejoin the starting lineup and show that he is really worth paying for.
The Browns’ Lack of Announcements
Conversely to the Jets, the Cleveland Browns have yet to announce their depth chart for the Hall of Fame Game. The most notable players that I expect to not play include QB Deshaun Watson, WR Amari Cooper, RB Nick Chubb, DE Myles Garret, and maybe more.
If this is the case, then some players that I would make sure to pay attention to include WR Elijah Moore, who was just let go by the Jets, and CB Greg Newsome II. Both are young talents that have yet to showcase their true potential, and the game on Thursday could serve as an indicator of whether said players will actually hit their potential.
Are you excited, because I sure am! Football is back and no matter who plays I’ll make sure to catch a glimpse of Thursday’s game. What do you think of the NFL’s return? Let me know in the comments.
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