Despite the fact that it was a preseason game, you just know that there was going to be some extra spice between the New York Jets and the New York Giants in this latest chapter of their cross-town rivalry. The fact that the great Aaron Rodgers made his Jets debut only made things even more interesting. In fact, the four-time MVP took part in what could easily be considered the most savage moment of the preseason contest.
Aaron Rodgers Goes Full Savage on Jets’ Jihad Ward
At one point in the game, Rodgers was seen in a heated conversation with Giants DE Jihad Ward. Rodgers was mic’d up courtesy of HBO’s highly popular show, Hard Knocks, which is exactly why we all got a clear picture of what went down in his intense exchange with Ward.
Rodgers took exception to the Giants DE shoving him at the end of a play, and the 10-time Pro Bowler just had to let Ward know about it:
“That’s f–king bulls—, bro,” Rodgers said to Ward (h/t Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post). “What the f–k is that? Show some respect. C’mon, what the f–k is that? Five damn steps.”
Rodgers later revealed to his teammates that he dropped an “un-comeback-able” jab at Ward:
“I said, ‘I don’t even know who you are.’” Rodgers told the Giants DE.
That’s savage. For some reason, though, Ward responded by saying that he didn’t know who Rodgers was either. The Jets superstar called Ward out for his “bulls**t” because A-Rod — as well as the rest of the NFL world — knows that Ward is definitely well aware of who Rodgers is.
Aaron Rodgers still has some fire left 🔥 @AaronRodgers12#HardKnocks now streaming on @StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/bXwR0U6gyI
— NFL (@NFL) August 30, 2023
Jihad Ward Claps Back at Aaron Rodgers, Jets
Not to be outdone, Ward has now broken his silence on this now-viral incident. Apparently, the Giants DE took exception to Jets wide receiver Randall Cobb delivering a blindside hit on Bobby McCain. According to Ward, Rodgers and Co. were laughing at the expense of McCain.
“There’s a reason why I acted like that from the first place,’’ Ward said. “There’s a reason why I shoved him like I did. The reason why is because I don’t let any of my mother-f–king teammates get knocked over. And Randall — what’s his name? — Randall Cobb? He knew what he did.
“That was some cheap s–t. If I see anything on the field, I’ve got to do what I’ve gotta do.
“… At the end of the day, I don’t want anyone out here thinking I was trying to cause a scene. There’s a reason why I do things. That was some sucker s–t that Randall Cobb and Aaron Rodgers did, and I’m stamping on that.
“I ain’t hiding from nothing. Laugh now, cry later.”
Ward knows that Aaron Rodgers is the star of the show and that Hard Knocks probably won’t show the entire story. As such, Ward is speaking out now knowing full well that HBO is going to “make me look like a sucker.”
“They know what they did, they was laughing and all that stuff,’’ Ward said. “They know what they did, I know what he did, the coaches know what he did, my teammates know what he did. I’m the only one that’s sticking up for [McCain].
“The whole team was pissed off (about the hit), preseason and all that stuff and you’re going to do some reaction and all that shit. That’s how they roll and I think we played them soon, so … ’’
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