Getty Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill during the 2023 preseason.
In case you missed it, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers got into it with New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward during the teams’ preseason finale on August 26. The moment aired on the August 29 episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” and quickly went viral on X when the Jets and The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov shared the clip.
A day later, wide receiver Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins was trolling Rodgers, his new AFC East rival.
Oh boy. Aaron Rodgers to #Giants‘ Jihad Ward after he got hit late: “Show some respect. I don’t even know who you are.”
Rodgers then throws a TD pass and looks for Ward: “Don’t poke the bear.”
TRASH TALK AARON RODGERS.
In the ‘Hard Knocks’ clip, Ward, an eight-year veteran, delivered a late hit on Rodgers, prompting some trash talk from the four-time MVP quarterback: “That’s f****** bull****, bro. What the f*** was that? Show some respect, bro. Come on, what the f*** is that? Five damn steps? I don’t even know who you are, bro.”
Ward shot back, saying, “I don’t know who the f*** you are.” To which Rodgers said, “You don’t?”
Later, after throwing a touchdown to Garrett Wilson, Rodgers directed a “don’t poke the bear” comment at Ward, and the two went jawing at it again. On the sideline, the Jets QB relayed the conversation to a teammate, noting that he called “bull****” when Ward claimed he didn’t know who Rodgers was.
Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill: ‘I’m With Jihad Ward’
So, how did Hill get himself involved in all of this? Simple, “the Cheetah” jokingly troll Rodgers and NYJ fans on X. “I’m with Jihad Ward,” he wrote, “who is number 8 for the jets 😭.”
I’m with Jihad Ward who is number 8 for the jets 😭
Hill’s lighthearted jab opened himself up to digs from Jets fans, who haven’t forgotten his “Jets who?” remark after he chose the Dolphins as a trade destination over the Jets in 2022.
“You know who Quinnen Williams is though,” one Jets fan replied with a GIF of Williams stiff-arming Hill to the ground in 2022.
@cheetah You know who Quinnen Williams is though
This GIF was actually a very popular response in Hill’s mentions, as were comments about his off-the-field issues.
Jets X-Factor’s Michael Nania weighed in too, writing: “A guy you’ve never beaten.” The NYJ film analyst included a screenshot with proof of this claim.
If there are two things that Jets fans do exceptionally well, they are: remain loyal to their team and rally around a common enemy on social media.
Jets & Dolphins Arms Race Continues as Both Look to Overthrow Bills in 2023
The Buffalo Bills are the current kings of the AFC East, but both the Jets and Dolphins have been making moves since 2022 to overthrow them in 2023.
It all started with Miami’s acquisition of Hill. The Dolphins also poached a few role players from the Jets this spring, but New York upset the apple cart when they traded for Rodgers and all that came with him — Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Dalvin Cook, etc.
The NYJ-Miami arms race may not end there, as the Dolphins have been involved in talks with the Indianapolis Colts and star running back Jonathan Taylor. Although no deal was struck between the two sides ahead of the 53-man deadline, Miami appears to understand — as do the Jets — that there’s only one way to go “all-in.”
It’ll be interesting to see if these two AFC contenders continue to add as the season goes on, and if the Bills decide to do anything in response. The Jets play Buffalo on Monday Night Football in Week 1, but they don’t face off against Hill and Miami until the first-ever Black Friday game in Week 12. A lot can change from now until then.