The New York Jets have secured an unprecedented number of prime-time games for the first three months of the 2024 season, thanks largely to the allure of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. The NFL confirmed this decision on Thursday, emphasizing the quarterback’s significant impact on the team’s schedule.
“Yes, it’s an awful lot of prime-time games early in the season, but, obviously, I feel like the Jets kind of owe us one,” said Mike North, the NFL’s vice president of broadcast planning, during a video conference with reporters.
The Jets will feature in six night games within the first 11 weeks, the highest number for any team since the 1970 merger, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Last season, the Jets were scheduled for five prime-time games, but Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles tear in Week 1 thwarted those plans.
“When we had this conversation a year ago, we were — all of us — all-in on the Jets, and for that guy to last four plays was disheartening for many of us,” North stated. “I feel like we could run it back.”
North added that the Jets remained competitive even without Rodgers, finishing the season 7-10, and have bolstered their roster during the offseason. Rodgers, now fully recovered from surgery, is participating in drills without restrictions.
The Jets’ prime-time lineup includes two Monday night games (ESPN/ABC), two Sunday night games (NBC), and two Thursday night games (Prime Video). They will kick off the “Monday Night Football” schedule against the San Francisco 49ers on September 9. More prime-time slots may follow later in the season due to flex scheduling.
“Hopefully, he stays healthy and, hopefully, they’re relevant,” North said.
In other scheduling news, the NFL announced that Christmas Day in 2025 will feature two games, with Netflix and Prime Video broadcasting in the afternoon and evening, respectively. This Christmas, Netflix will stream two games: Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans.
Additionally, Hans Schroeder, NFL executive vice president of media distribution, expressed excitement about Tom Brady’s broadcasting debut on Fox Sports. Despite Brady’s potential minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, Schroeder confirmed there are no restrictions on which games Brady can cover.
The NFL also addressed some unique scheduling quirks, such as the Steelers and Bears not starting divisional play until Week 11. North noted this wasn’t intentional but might be reviewed in the future.
One speculation North dismissed was any coordination between the Chiefs’ schedule and Taylor Swift’s tour dates. “I saw a lot of conspiracy theorists talking about Kansas City at Buffalo middle of the season, right when Taylor’s playing Toronto,” he said. “That one definitely did not hit our radar screen.”
The NFL continues to refine its schedule to cater to both national and international audiences, ensuring fans enjoy high-quality games throughout the season.
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