This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.
Good morning, Winners! Welcome back to the Morning Win. Thanks so much for rocking with us today. We appreciate your time.
I’ve seen a lot of speculation on the internet about whether Sunday was the last time we’d ever see Aaron Rodgers throw a football.
You can understand why. The Jets stink. The team doesn’t seem to want him back, really. Rodgers is also clearly mulling retirement at this point. He kind of stinks, too. He’s also 41 years old. And, as bad as the Jets stink, the team doesn’t seem to want him back.
Ultimately, whether the future Hall of Fame quarterback returns to play for the Jets will be up to the team’s key decision makers Jack and Brick. But, regardless of whether we see Rodgers in New York again, Sunday’s win certainly won’t be the last we see of him.
Did you honestly think we’d be rid of him that easily? Folks, you’re not escaping Aaron Rodgers. At least not that easily.
This isn’t a declaration that Rodgers will continue playing. This could very well be it for him on the football field. He’s been a shell of himself for most of this NFL season. His last game of the season legitimately may have been his best one. Just good enough to leave that creaky door cracked open!
But even if he does retire, that still won’t be the end. Are you kidding me? This is Aaron “I SWEAR I’m coming back this year, guys!” Rodgers we’re talking about. That is a man who cannot and will not let the spotlight go.
Sure, he might put down the football. But don’t make the mistake of thinking he won’t pick up every microphone somebody puts in front of him. I mean, he’ll have so much time on his hands to do absolutely anything with. Think of all the podcasts, guys!
That Tuesday appearance on Pat McAfee’s show might turn into an everyday appearance. Could he co-host with Joe Rogan? You’d better believe he’ll probably start his own show. I can picture it now: “When Rodgers Shrugged.”
This might be the end of Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback. But, if it is, we should prepare for Aaron Rodgers, the pundit. Because it’s coming.
He’s not going anywhere.
Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The Bengals did everything they could do to get themselves into the playoffs this year. Well, you know, everything except win any of the first four games of the season.
But, you know! When you take that out, this looks like a team that deserved to make the playoffs.
The Bengals had:
And they still missed the playoffs. They’re the first team in league history to have the league’s passing leader, receiving leader and sack leader and miss the postseason, according to The Athletic. This isn’t quite 2010 Chargers vibes, but it’s really close.
I’ll never forgive the Chiefs for not playing their hardest in a meaningless game at the end of the season to make sure the Bengals got a shot.
Shame!
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
I don’t know how many people had the Thunder and the Cavaliers as the two best teams in the NBA at the top of the season, but we’re here now. And, boy, are these exciting times.
These two teams have two double-digit win streaks going right now.
The Thunder have won 15 straight after dominating the Celtics (!!!!) on Sunday and holding Boston to a 27-point second half (!!!!!!!!). Coincidentally, that 15-game win streak ties Cleveland for the longest of the season.
On the other hand, the Cavaliers are on a 10-game win streak, and every game has been won by double digits.
Those two teams will play each other on Wednesday. Somebody’s gotta lose.
We’re just over 48 hours away and I already cannot wait to watch this one.
— Lots of heads have already rolled in the NFL. Here’s our Black Monday tracker with every NFL coach and GM fired so far.
— On the other end, here’s every head coach and GM who hasn’t been fired so far. Turns out Jerry Jones actually can just keep getting away with this.
— Here’s Charles Curtis with 10 head coaching candidates who can fill the vacancies around the league.
— Prince Grimes says the Pelicans need to trade Zion Williamson and start over in his latest Capture the Flagg column.
— Kim Mulkey wore a basketball hoop to a basketball game. Kind of. Meg Hall has more.
— Here’s Prince again with the biggest overachievers and underachievers of the NFL season.
That’s a wrap, folks. Thanks for reading. Have a fantastic week. Peace.
-Sykes
