ProFootballTalk doesn’t seem particularly bullish on the New York Jets
One prominent media outlet continues to loudly showcase its disdain for Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.
ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio shared his latest NFL power rankings on Monday afternoon. Floria has the Jets land in the 25th spot, one spot behind the New Orleans Saints and one ahead of the Las Vegas Raiders.
All complaints are welcome and expected. pic.twitter.com/U1MBtb73bE
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 24, 2024
There are two lines of thinking when seeing this ranking.
The first is that Mr. Florio truly is not convinced the Jets will be good in 2024. He could be worried about their offensive line or Aaron Rodgers staying healthy. The writer could think that head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett are not capable of getting New York to the postseason.
The second is that the head of ProFootballTalk is letting his bias toward Aaron Rodgers seep into his rankings. Florio has repeatedly displayed a dislike for Rodgers’s actions and behavior on social media, which in itself is more than acceptable. However, this ranking has the feeling of a slight toward the Jets because of Rodgers. New York won seven games in 2023 (tied for the 22nd-best record) with the worst quarterback play in the NFL. With Rodgers back alongside a much-improved offensive line, the Jets have, at minimum, a top-15 roster in the league. To have them ranked below three-quarters of the league is egregious.
Unfortunately, these rankings are another example of objectivity being lost in the sports media landscape. These rankings are meant to drive engagement and will cause an uproar due to the Jets being ranked so low. And if Florio is wrong, he will never have to answer for his take, as he will find a way to sidestep the criticism.
It is more than okay to hold differing opinions from others. It is okay to criticize athletes and hold them accountable for their actions. However, those legitimate criticisms lose their merit when they leak into what is meant to be objective football coverage.
At the end of the day, the takeaway message is simple: Let’s strive to avoid letting bias creep into our football coverage.
