Ted Lasso storyline plays out Jets worst Aaron Rodgers nightmare
Sometimes it can be alarming how much fiction parallels reality. For fans of the NFL and Apple TV’s hit series Ted Lasso, the comparisons between a new character in the show and star NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers are uncanny. For fans of the show who haven’t seen the latest episode yet and don’t want anything spoiled, come back and read this post after you’ve seen the episode.
The spoiler-free point? A certain storyline in the latest season of Ted Lasso could end up being the worst nightmare for New York Jets fans hoping that Aaron Rodgers will line up for their team under center in 2023.
How Ted Lasso’s third season compares to Aaron Rodgers
For those who watch Ted Lasso and follow the NFL closely, I think it’s impossible to look at the new character “Zava” (played by actor Maximilian Osinski) and not see parallels to Aaron Rodgers. Even down to the looks of the actor, so much of the character Zava exudes the type of energy we have all seen from Aaron Rodgers. As Packers team president Mark Murphy once quipped, Rodgers is a “complicated fella” and the same is true of Zava.
Zava is an established superstar in the twilight of his career, and he’s changing clubs. He has aims on joining one of the top contenders in the league before being convinced that he should go play for Ted Lasso’s team, Richmond, considered to be the worst team in the league. That may not parallel Aaron Rodgers’ situation with the New York Jets exactly, but isn’t it interesting how much Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett is like Ted Lasso as a coach? Just their personalities, optimism, and approach are so similar.
From the slicked-back long hair to the zen-like personality and ultimate self-confidence, everything about Zava just screams “Aaron Rodgers” but here is where things take a nightmarish turn…
And here come the spoilers from the latest episode, for those who don’t want to know before seeing the show themselves…
In the latest episode, Zava actually ends up leaving Richmond in the middle of the season. He surprisingly decides to retire to focus on his avocado farm. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t exactly have an avocado farm, but for a guy who considered himself “90 percent” retired at the end of the 2022 season, would you put it past him to find some obscure reason to retire if he simply wasn’t loving life after the Packers?
Rodgers stated on The Pat McAfee Show that his desire in 2023 is to play for the New York Jets. That news understandably sent Jets fans into a frenzy because Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP and his presence likely makes that team contenders, even in the loaded AFC. Just like Zava had Richmond near the top of the league for a time, and then when things went south, he bailed.
Again, nobody really thinks Aaron Rodgers would do that. But would you put it past him, either? At any rate, it’s funny to see such a distinct parallel in this storyline on a popular show. Although this show is not about American football, Ted Lasso did start off as a football coach in the States, so perhaps the writers of the show are in-tune with both pro sports leagues.