The New York Jets have no shortage of haters in the media. Some of them clown the “Same Old Jets” moniker, while others abhor Aaron Rodgers. But count Peyton Manning among those who truly can’t stop taking shots at the Jets.
This time, it came on an appearance with ESPN host Stephen A. Smith. Smith asked Manning about having Bill Belichick join the “Manningcast,” which is the show the Manning brothers host on ESPN2 during Monday Night Football.
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Manning explained how Belichick’s football knowledge will be very interesting and insightful for the public. But he then pivoted to the Jets-49ers matchup in Week 1 on MNF.
Manning said they’re trying to get celebrity guests who root for the Jets or 49ers, citing Adam Sandler as a Jets fan. “There are a lot of Jets celebrity fans that I didn’t know were fans because they had nothing to cheer about for a long time,” he sneered. “And now they’ve kind of come out of the woodwork because the Jets are going to the Super Bowl.”
The way he said that last line left no doubt as to what he really thinks.
Interestingly, Manning’s disdain for the Jets does not extend to their quarterback. Manning has made his admiration for Aaron Rodgers as a football player clear. Smith asked him if he told Rodgers to avoid getting hurt four plays into the season. Manning responded, “I think he’s going to have a great year. He is motivated. I think we’ve seen that Aaron… keeps receipts, he knows when people say he’s too old or whatnot.”
Manning added that the 49ers’ defense will be a great test in Week 1, but Rodgers has increased motivation against San Francisco because they passed on him in the draft (when they took Alex Smith No. 1 overall). He then explained the difference between his mechanics and Rodgers’.
“His arm is so unique, it’s unlike just about any other quarterback, it’s elastic,” he remarked. “I was always a guy that to make this throw, my feet had to be lined up perfectly toward the direction. Aaron Rodgers’ feet could be lined up here and he can throw a 40-yard pass over there. I see him having a good year, I really do.”
No, it’s clearly the Jets themselves who Manning hates. This is far from the first time Manning has taken a dig at them completely unprompted, even in the last couple of years. The Jets’ social media team even remarked upon it in 2023.
what are we talking about Peyton pic.twitter.com/sT4iWkFSmX
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 9, 2023
Manning couldn’t find it within himself to be excited when Xavier Gipson returned a punt 65 yards for a walk-off touchdown against the Bills. Many fans ripped the Manning brothers for their dull responses.
The ManningCast is left STUNNED by that Xavier Gipson punt return touchdown!! pic.twitter.com/vT4UKPVRyV
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 12, 2023
By contrast, their reaction to Rodgers’ injury was far more emphatic. But even then, Peyton couldn’t resist a dig. “Who’s their backup, Richard Todd or Ken O’Brien?”
Peyton Manning reacts the way that Jets fans and the football world do: pic.twitter.com/tFpuoPbybL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 12, 2023
Manning’s contempt for the Jets is difficult to understand. Still, for a franchise whose playoff drought is now at 13 years, the only way to stop the mockery is to win. That starts on September 9 in San Francisco.
