Josh Allen shows respect, appreciation for Aaron Rodgers ahead of 2023 season

• NFL

Josh Allen says he has always been a fan of Aaron Rodgers as he is looking forward to facing the former NFL MVP multiple times during the upcoming season. Allen, 27, has been in the NFL since the Buffalo Bills drafted him in 2018.

In recent years, the Bills have been mostly ending on the winning side when playing their division rivals, the New York Jets. But this offseason, the Jets traded for Rodgers, who is a four-time NFL MVP. Now that Allen and Rodgers are in the same division, football fans are guaranteed to see those two star quarterbacks going up against each other at least twice in 2023.

Allen shows respect for Rodgers

“I’ve been such a fan of him as little kid. Having Aaron Rodgers jerseys and trying to emulate what he does on the football field. He’s such a special player. I think he’s the most gifted thrower of the football of all time.

To now be going up against him twice a year, it’s going to be a battle," Allen said during his appearance on Slow News Day with Kevin Clark, via Pro Football Talk. Both the Bills and Jets will enter the 2023 season with the same aspiration.

In the last few years, the Bills were considered Super Bowl contenders but they would always fall short in the playoffs. Heading into the 2023 season, nothing has changed for the Bills as they are again entering a season with championship aspirations.

The same can be said for the Jets, who believe they are now Super Bowl contenders with Rodgers as their quarterback. The Jets haven't won a Super Bowl since 1969, and when Rodgers arrived at the team facility, he suggested it was time for the team to hoist another Lombardi Trophy.

It remains to be seen how will the Bills and Jets matchup look in 2023 with Allen and Rodgers going head-to-head against each other.