New York Jets

Aaron Rodgers just got tattooed again ... this time he had a dragon featuring a nod to his Jets' jersey put down on his left arm.

The New York quarterback's tattoo artist, Balazs Bercsenyi, revealed the new artwork on his Instagram page on Thursday afternoon ... showing Rodgers got the piece put right in the middle of his bicep.

It's unclear why Rodgers chose the creature -- or what the significance of the lettering around it is -- but Bercsenyi explained the positioning of the dragon's body was no accident.

"Second tattoo for the 🐐 himself @aaronrodgers12," the artist said in a caption on the photos of the ink, "with a subtle hint for Aaron’s new jersey number #8."

The 40-year-old signal-caller was clearly thrilled with how it all came out ... writing in a comment on the artist's page, "Happy Birthday brother! So thankful for you and your mastery."

The tat is the second Rodgers has ever gotten ... he previously had a pair of lions and an eyeball put on his left forearm.

Of course, Rodgers has plenty of time to sit in the tattoo chair these days -- he's been on injured reserve since he blew out his Achilles during NY's first game of the season.

It didn't work out the first time around, but New York Jets coach Robert Saleh is hoping for a different result moving forward with Zach Wilson ... telling reporters the 24-year-old quarterback will be his team's starter for the foreseeable future.

The Jets haven't been able to find a valuable replacement under center following Aaron Rodgers' Week 1 Achilles injury ... and after a two-game experiment with Tim Boyle, Saleh told the media Wednesday that Wilson -- who initially took over for the four-time MVP -- was the team's best chance to win.

Boyle was cut from the team following NY's 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons ... after he threw for just 148 yards and failed to toss a touchdown.

Wilson hasn't been great for the Jets ... and aside from a surprise victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, he struggled to gain traction with the starting gig.

Saleh seemingly alluded to Rodgers being out for the rest of the season ... saying Wilson was excited to finish out the 2023-24 campaign strong.

Ricky Williams would almost certainly have a bust in Canton today if the NFL had eased its weed policies during the running back's heyday -- at least, that's according to Calvin Johnson.

The Lions legend told TMZ Sports he not only thinks Ricky was just that good ... but he truly believes the benefits that marijuana provided the tailback could've helped Williams extend his career too.

"Ricky would probably be a first-ballot Hall of Famer if he didn't have the issues with that," Johnson told us.

And, get this, the 38-year-old said his own career "possibly" would've lasted longer if the league had adjusted its ganja laws during his playing days as well.

The NFL, however, has finally laxed its tight policies recently ... and Johnson is hoping the changes will help open the door for some of the league's athletes -- and ones in college too -- to use his new line of CBD products.

If you're unfamiliar, in retirement, Johnson has teamed up with his former Detroit teammate, Rob Sims, to create a cannabis company called Primitiv ... and just recently, the duo added a line of products called Primitiv Performance to help sports competitors with recovery.

Johnson says they're working on obtaining their NSF certification for sport ... and he wants athletes to dive into it all if and when that comes through.

"We truly believe in it," he said of the new products. "I use it!"

Johnson even joked with us that Primitiv Performance is something that could help injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers return to the field quicker this season.

Aaron Rodgers has taken yet another step toward making an improbable comeback this season ... returning to Jets practice Wednesday -- albeit in a very limited capacity.

Rodgers got back on the New York training field with his teammates just minutes after head coach Robert Saleh revealed the star quarterback has now been cleared for "functional football activity."

However, the sight of Rodgers on the field doesn't necessarily mean he's anywhere close to game action ... as Saleh told reporters that, for now, it's just another small jump in his rehab progression.

The 40-year-old, who now has 21 days to return to game action after his practice was opened, is expected to do little more than simulate in-game dropbacks and throw to teammates during workouts over the next few days. Still, it's a good sign for the Jets nonetheless, considering Rodgers tore his Achilles less than three months ago.

Saleh, meanwhile, stressed they will not push the signal-caller too hard, even if he looks good.

"There's certain things that he's been cleared that we are going to allow him to do," Saleh said ... before adding, "Aaron is not going to do anything to put himself in harm's way."

For Rodgers' part, he said on Tuesday on the "Pat McAfee Show" that he'll only return to in-game action this season if he's healthy enough ... and if the Jets are in playoff contention.

Aaron Rodgers ha dado otro paso hacia su improbable regreso esta temporada. El jugador volvió a la práctica de los Jets el miércoles, aunque con una capacidad muy limitada.

Rodgers regresó al lugar de entrenamiento de Nueva York con sus compañeros de equipo pocos minutos después de que el entrenador en jefe Robert Saleh revelara que el mariscal de campo estrella ha sido autorizado para la "actividad funcional de fútbol".

Sin embargo, su visita en el campo de juego no significa necesariamente que esté cerca de pasar a la acción. Saleh le dijo a los periodistas que, por ahora, este es solo otro pequeño paso en su camino hacia la rehabilitación.

Se espera que el jugador de 40 años haga poco más que simular dropbacks en el juego y hacer lanzamientos a los compañeros de equipo durante los entrenamientos de los próximos días. Sin embargo, es una buena señal para los Jets, teniendo en cuenta que Rodgers se rompió el tendón de Aquiles hace menos de tres meses.

Saleh, por su parte, hizo hincapié en que no van a presionar demasiado al jugador, incluso si se ve bien.

"Hay ciertas cosas para las que ha sido autorizado, que le vamos a permitir hacer", dijo Saleh, antes de añadir: "Aaron no va a hacer nada que lo ponga en peligro".

Rodgers, por su parte, dijo el martes en "Pat McAfee Show" que solo volverá a jugar esta temporada si está lo suficientemente bien y si los Jets están en la contienda por los playoffs.

Aaron Rodgers says his return to the football field is contingent on two big factors ... revealing he will only suit up again this season if the New York Jets are still in playoff contention and he is fully healthy.

The four-time NFL MVP was at the Jets training facility when he made his weekly appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday ... and he gave a significant update on his Achilles recovery timeline.

Rodgers explained the first step in his potential return during the 2023-24 season is evaluating his health and playing ability ... and if he's not able to move around and protect himself on the field, he won't risk it.

If he's cleared by doctors and is satisfied with his athleticism, Rodgers will then assess where the Jets stand in terms of playoff chances.

"It's health first, and then can I play, are we alive for the playoffs, second," Rodgers said ... adding as of right now, he is not to the point where he could even consider playing.

There's been talk around the NFL that Rodgers is eyeing a Christmas Eve return when the Jets take on the Commanders at MetLife Stadium in Jersey ... just over three months after his initial injury, which would be one of the fastest bounce-backs from an Achilles tear in NFL history.

The Jets' remaining schedule is a bit of a mixed bag -- they play winnable games against the Patriots and Washington, but also face off against the Texans, Browns, and Dolphins, all legit playoff contenders.

Worth noting -- many Jets and NFL fans have been concerned about Rodgers being hellbent on returning ... especially because New York's offensive line is dreadful, and he would undoubtedly lack protection up front.

In fact, the Jets have allowed 47 sacks this season ... the third most across the league.

Aaron Rodgers feels badly about how things played out for benched backup Zach Wilson ... admitting he's "disappointed and sad" the young quarterback didn't get to sit back and learn from him this season.

The former No. 2 overall pick recently lost his starting gig to Tim Boyle after struggling to find a rhythm as Rodgers recovers from his Achilles injury ... and during the four-time MVP's appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show," he said he has guilt about the situation.

"I feel for Zach, I love Zach." Rodgers said. "Zach's such a great kid and I do think he still has a bright future in the league."

Rodgers believes it's more fair to throw blame on the whole team than just on Zach ... but ultimately, it was time to find a spark on offense.

"This is disappointing, I have some personal guilt around the whole thing," he added. "I mean, I'm pissed I wasn't able to play and frustrated that if I was out there, and I feel like I'd be playing well, there would be obviously different narratives around our team and Zach would have the opportunity to learn and grow and see what it looks like without the pressure on and being able to sit in those meetings and go through the season and just kind of watch me and my process."

Rodgers said the team will continue to support both Zach and Tim moving forward ... but reiterated it's not all Wilson's fault the team is sitting at 4-6.

Model Danii Banks isn't used to complaints when she drops her top -- but Las Vegas Raiders games are, apparently, a much different story ... because her boobs got her booted from the stadium.

Danii tells TMZ ... shortly after she recorded herself flashing her breasts inside Allegiant Stadium, security guards and police officers swooped in, not in appreciation, but to deliver that classic line -- Danii didn't have to go home, but she had to get the hell outta Sunday night's game.

DB says cops didn't ticket or arrest her, but she had pretty good seats, and she didn't get to stick around long enough to see the Raiders' thrilling-ish win over the New York Jets.

Danii, who's big on OnlyFans, says security or police must have seen her go topless in the moment, because she didn't post the video until after she got the boot.

The incident was reminiscent of Blueface's recent visit to a Los Angeles Rams game ... where he brought a bunch of strippers with him to a suite and made it rain as the nearly nude dancers twerked.

Now, Blueface says he wasn't kicked out and stadium officials didn't say anything to him. While that might look like Vegas is running a tighter ship ... it's worth noting no one in Blueface's crew freed the nipple like Danii did.

La modelo Danii Banks no está acostumbrada a que la critiquen cuando deja caer su ropa, pero los partidos de Las Vegas Raiders son, al parecer, una historia muy diferente porque sus tetas le costaron su permanencia en el estadio.

Danii le dice a TMZ que poco después de que se grabara mostrando sus pechos en el estadio Allegiant, los guardias de seguridad y los agentes de policía se abalanzaron sobre ella y no en agradecimiento, sino para decirle que no tenía que irse a casa, pero sí salir del partido que se estaba jugando el domingo por la noche.

Danii Banks dice que los policías no la multaron ni la arrestaron, pero asegura que tenía asientos bastante buenos y no pudo quedarse lo suficiente para ver la emocionante victoria de los Raiders sobre los Jets de Nueva York.

La modelo, que es muy popular en OnlyFans, dice que la seguridad debe haber visto su topless en el momento, porque no publicó el video hasta después de que la sacaran.

El incidente se parece a una reciente visita de Blueface a un juego de Los Angeles Rams, al que llevó a un montón de strippers a una suite y empezó a lanzar billetes con las bailarinas, las que estaban casi desnudas y bailando twerk.

Ahora, Blueface dice que no fue expulsado y que los funcionarios del estadio no le dijeron nada. Aunque con este incidente puede parecer que Vegas está siendo más estricto, vale la pena señalar que nadie en la tripulación de Blueface liberó el pezón como lo hizo Danii.

Perhaps life on Injured Reserve ain't that bad ... while his Jets teammates were resting up Saturday night before the 'SNF' game against the Raiders, Aaron Rodgers was sipping bourbon and puffing cigars at a fancy lounge in Sin City!

TMZ Sports is told the 4x NFL MVP hit up Eight Cigar lounge at Resorts World this weekend, where we're told he drank Blanton's Gold Edition Kentucky Bourbon and smoked a My Father The Judge cigar, while hanging out and enjoying himself.

Of course, Aaron was in town for the Jets-Raiders game on Sunday night. Rodgers obviously isn't playing (he's gunning to return to the field in mid-December), so Saturday night was his time to go out and have some fun.

Blanton's Gold is a 103-proof, single-barrel bourbon whiskey that's highly regarded by purists ... and it isn't cheap. A bottle could run near $300 at the liquor store, and much more in a high-end spot like Eight.

The My Father The Judge cigar -- handmade in Nicaragua and boasting -- is high quality, too. The stogie is described as medium to full-bodied with notes of leather, cedar, toasted almonds, and sweet cocoa.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane used the biggest play of his career as the perfect opportunity to drop some incredible news ... revealing he and his wife are expecting their first child together!!

The 27-year-old former Western Michigan star picked off New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson in the final minutes of the Sunday Night Football matchup ... securing the 16-12 win for the Raiders -- marking their second-straight victory under interim head coach Antonio Pierce.

Spillane was interviewed right after the final whistle ... and the guy turned the spotlight to his wife, Shelby, who was cheering like crazy for him in the stands.

"My wife is actually pregnant," Spillane told Melissa Stark. "So we get to tell the world tonight that my beautiful wife will have our first baby here in June, so I’m looking forward to it."

Spillane -- who married Shelby this past offseason -- was clearly stoked about the announcement ... perhaps more than his highlight play to win the game!!

It was a whirlwind of emotions for Spillane -- the guy broke his hand just two weeks ago, which required surgery ... but he never missed a single down of gameplay.

When asked about his toughness, Spillane chalked it all up to being a true "football player."

"Football players play football games," he added. "They play hurt, they play injured. I learned that at a very young age. Most people think you have to play hurt but not injured. You have to play injured. You got to play with broken fingers. You got to play with a broken hand. You got to play with a torn MCL."

"It's an honor and a privilege to go out there. So I never want to miss any opportunity to be on the field."

Aaron Rodgers is doubling down on his targeted return to the football field ... revealing he's hoping to make his big comeback from his Achilles injury in mid-December.

The New York Jets quarterback -- who said last week he was eyeing suiting up in "a few fortnights" -- made his intentions crystal clear in a pregame interview with NBC's Melissa Stark, who relayed the news during the Sunday Night Football broadcast.

"He said, 'I know it sounds insane, but you do a good surgery, you have a good patient, it makes this possible,'" Stark told Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth.

Rodgers also stated he was working out on a weight-limited treadmill at 50% of his body weight ... and planned to bump up to 75% this week.

The update lines up exactly with what TMZ Sports reported just a few days ago -- our sources told us Rodgers is recovering at a historic rate ... and he's basically in uncharted territory with how he's improving by the day.

If he does come back before Christmas, it will be much faster than the usual 9+ months it tends to take for an athlete to get to 100% before returning to action.

Rodgers has shown he's busting his ass in rehab -- he's been slinging the pigskin prior to Jets games recently ... and has been walking without assistance or any sort of limp.

Chad Johnson le está aconsejando a Aaron Rodgers que pise los frenos en cuanto a su posible regreso a los Jets esta temporada. Johnson le dijo a TMZ Sports que el mariscal de campo tiene que relajarse antes de que vuelva a lesionarse.

La leyenda de los Bengals no se anduvo con rodeos al discutir el tema con nosotros esta semana, diciendo directamente: "No vuelvas. Te harás daño".

Johnson nunca tuvo que lidiar con un desgarro de Aquiles durante su carrera en la NFL, pero ciertamente vio a otros luchar con la lesión en sus once años en la liga, y ahora le está advirtiendo a Rodgers que no se apresure por volver este año.

"No lo hagas", dijo. "Te vas a volver a lesionar. Es demasiado pronto".

Por supuesto, Rodgers, de 39 años y que se rompió el tendón de Aquiles el 11 de septiembre, parece estar haciendo todo lo posible por rescatar a los Jets (4-4), progresando a tal velocidad que ahora está haciendo dropbacks y lanzando pases durante los calentamientos previos al partido.

Aunque Johnson está claramente impresionado por la recuperación que ha tenido, fue categórico en decir que no cree que sea buena idea volver a la acción de la NFL tan rápido.

"Tienes que entender", dijo Johnson, "hay pocas lesiones con las que no quieres jugar. No quieres jugar con nada que tenga que ver con la ingle, el tendón de Aquiles o las rodillas. De esas no vuelves corriendo".

"No me importa lo que te digan tus médicos".

En cambio, Johnson tiene la esperanza de que Rodgers se tome todo el año libre, se recupere al 100 por ciento y así esté listo para la temporada 2024.

Chad Johnson is advising Aaron Rodgers to pump the brakes on a potential return to the Jets this season ... telling TMZ Sports the star quarterback needs to chill before he reinjures himself.

The Bengals legend didn't mince words when discussing the topic with us this week, saying straight up, "Don't come back. You'll hurt yourself."

Johnson never had to deal with a torn Achilles during his NFL career ... but he certainly saw others go down with the injury in his 11 years in the league, and he's now warning Rodgers to not rush back this year.

"Don't do it," he said. "You're going to reinjure yourself. It's too soon."

Of course, 39-year-old Rodgers -- who tore his Achilles back on September 11 -- appears to be doing all he can to come rescue the 4-4 Jets despite outside concerns ... progressing to the point where he's now taking dropbacks and firing off passes during pregame warmups.

While Johnson is clearly impressed with the recovery so far ... he was adamant that he doesn't believe it's a good idea to return to NFL action so quickly.

"You have to understand," Johnson said, "there are few injuries that you don't want to play with. You don't want to play with anything having to do with your groin, your Achilles, or your knees. You don't rush back from those."

"I don't care what your doctors tell you."

Instead, Johnson is hopeful Rodgers will take the whole year off, get to 100 percent ... and then be ready for the 2024 season.

No, Aaron Rodgers wasn't carrying a bong around with him at the Jets' game despite some heavy online speculation ... recently speaking out to clear the hazy air.

The Jets quarterback set the internet alight when he was filmed on the sidelines accidentally dropping a box, and causing what many thought appeared to be a large glass bong to fall out. Of course, this gave way to heavy speculation online, as Aaron's never been one to shy away from mind-altering substances.

However, during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" Thursday, Aaron said the glass object was actually just an uber-fancy bottle of tequila he had been gifted.

"Shout out to bongs everywhere ... but that was not one of them," he amused in an apparent swipe at those online hoping the potential smoking pipe would propel him into a fresh controversy.

On the subject of online chatter, he also ridiculed the bong conspiracy as "weak" ... joking that if he was on the other end, he'd have guessed dolphin semen was in the beaker.

Jason Oppenheim says NFL players would make great realtors ... and he's already hoping one of the league's biggest superstars will eventually join his team one day!!

"Aaron Rodgers," he told TMZ Sports out in LA on Friday. "Absolutely!"

The "Selling Sunset" star says he's convinced guys playing in Roger Goodell's world would do just fine in his ... explaining their contact list could lead them to some big scores in the housing market.

Oppenheim didn't say why Rodgers was currently his top choice to join The Oppenheim Group ... but he did tell us making it in real estate requires someone to be "smart" and "driven" -- two traits the Jets QB obviously possesses.

Oppenheim's talk with us about the NFL didn't stop there, though ... he also told us he would love to represent some footballers in their future hunts for homes -- hinting that some of his beloved Commanders might ultimately become his clients someday.