New York Jets Acquire Aaron Rodgers: 3 Things You Need to Know

Aaron Rodgers, a four-time National Football League (NFL) MVP, will play for a team other than the Green Bay Packers for the first time in his 18-year career in 2023. Following weeks of trade negotiations during the offseason, Green Bay dealt Rodgers and two draft picks to the New York Jets for picks No. 13, 42, and 207 in the 2023 NFL Draft and a conditional second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

The Jets haven't qualified for the postseason in 12 years, while Rodgers has led Green Bay to the playoffs 11 times in 15 seasons as the team's starting quarterback. He won the Super Bowl with Green Bay in 2010. 

Tumultuous Ending in Green Bay 

Green Bay missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons in 2022 and, rather than going all-in for another attempt at winning a title with Rodgers in 2023, general manager Brian Gutekunst wanted to reshape the roster. Rodgers, 39, recorded his fewest passing yards (3,695) since 2017 and had the second-most interceptions (12) he has ever had in one season. The Packers, meanwhile, were impressed with the development of quarterback Jordan Love, whom they selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. 

After telling Gutekunst that he needed time to contemplate his future, Rodgers, who was still under contract, went on The Pat McAfee Show in March and announced his intention to play for the Jets in 2023. It took Green Bay and New York six weeks to work out a deal. 

Following Brett Favre 

In going to the Jets, Rodgers is following the same path as Brett Favre, whom he replaced as the Packers starting quarterback in 2008. Green Bay faced a similar scenario then with a young Rodgers poised to take over for the veteran Favre and shipped Favre to the Jets for a third-round draft pick. New York cut Favre after just one season.  

Rodgers is the Packers' all-time leader in passing touchdowns (475) and ranks second in passing yards (59,055) behind Favre. 

The Jordan Love Era Begins in Green Bay 

Green Bay selected Love 26th overall out of Utah State in the 2020 NFL Draft. The organization at one point had worries about his development but was impressed with how he looked starting on two days’ notice against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021 and how he showed improvements in pre-snap and post-snap command during training camp in 2022. 

Love has appeared in just 10 games in the last two seasons, completing 50 of 83 pass attempts for 606 yards. He has three touchdowns and three interceptions.  

4 of the Most Important 2023 NFL Off-Season Transactions

The 2023 National Football League (NFL) season calendar officially began on March 15, at which point teams were allowed to make trades and sign free agents. Below is a look at four of the most notable player acquisitions through the first three weeks of the 2023 off-season.  

Bears Acquire D.J. Moore 

Even before the official start of the 2023 calendar year, the Chicago Bears made arguably the biggest move of the off-season. The team traded the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for wide receiver D.J. Moore, the No. 9 and No. 61 picks in 2023, a first-round pick in 2024, and a second-round pick in 2025. 

By trading the first overall pick, Chicago made it clear they were sticking with young quarterback Justin Fields, who they selected 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Fields had a breakthrough campaign in 2022 with 2,242 passing yards, 1,143 rushing yards, and 25 passing and rushing touchdowns. He'll have another weapon on offense next season in Moore, who scored a career-best seven touchdowns last season and has 5,201 career receiving yards in 80 career regular season games. 

Detroit Signs Cameron Sutton 

Detroit desperately needed an upgrade at the cornerback position and addressed that in the off-season by signing Cameron Sutton to a three-year, $33 million contract. A six-year veteran, 28-year-old Sutton will be among the Lions' most experienced defensive players in 2023. "I wouldn't even say I'm old, man. ... I'm forever young," he told reporters. 

Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Sutton accumulated 168 tackles, 38 defended passes, and eight interceptions in 84 career regular season games with Pittsburgh. He had a career-best three interceptions last season. 

Bengals Find Protection for Joe Burrow 

Cincinnati has one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Joe Burrow, but its offensive line protection was a problem in 2022. The Bengals were tied for 11th in most sacks allowed with 44 last season. The team signed Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to a four-year, $64 million contract on March 15 to give Burrow added protection from his blind side.  

Cowboys Waive Ezekiel Elliott 

In a move to free up cap space for free agent spending, the Dallas Cowboys released three-time Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott. A 27-year-old native of St. Louis, Missouri, Elliott signed a six-year, $90 million contract extension with the Cowboys in 2019. He led the league in rushing yards in 2016 and 2018, but recorded a career-low 876 rushing yards and just 3.8 yards per attempt in 2022. 

4 of the Best Players Available in the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 National Football League (NFL) Draft takes place from April 27-29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chicago Bears had the worst record (3-14) in 2022 and will pick first in the draft for just the third time in franchise history and the first time since they selected Bob Fenimore in 1974. The Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Seattle Seahawks round out the top five.  

Below is a look at four players who are likely to be drafted among the top five picks in the upcoming draft.  

1. Bryce Young 

Bryce Young is considered one of the best available quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he might not be selected first overall by the Bears. Chicago already has a talented young quarterback in Justin Fields, who they took 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, and he needs help on the offensive and defensive lines. They could opt to trade the first overall pick to a team that has a major need at a quarterback, such as the Colts or Texans. 

Regardless, Young is at least a consensus top-five pick. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner finished the 2022 season with 3,328 passing yards and 32 touchdowns in 12 games for the University of Alabama. He set the school record for single season passing yards (4,872) and touchdowns (47) in 2021. 

2. Will Levis 

Quarterback Will Levis should also be selected early in the first round. In the 2022 season, the 6-foot-3, 222-pound senior with the University of Kentucky threw for 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and amassed 2,406 passing yards. Levis's stats might not be as impressive as Young’s, but scouts view him as having the best mobility and arm strength among all quarterbacks in the draft. He has also played under two offensive coordinators with NFL coaching experience.  

Other quarterbacks who could be selected in the first round include C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), Tanner McKee (Stanford), and Anthony Richardson (Florida). 

3. Jalen Carter 

Jalen Carter is one of the best defensive linemen available in the draft and would be a great fit on the Bears, which finished last place in quarterback sacks per game in 2022 with just 1.2. The Bears averaged 2.9 sacks per game in 2021. 

Carter, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound lineman with the University of Georgia, had three sacks in each of the last two seasons. He started 13 games in 2022 and had 32 tackles, seven of which were for a loss of yards, and two forced fumbles. He also led all defensive linemen in the state with a 90.0 pass-rushing grade. 

4. Will Anderson, Jr. 

An EDGE defender for the Crimson Tide, Will Anderson, Jr., led all linemen in pressures (82) in 2021 and was top-five in that category again in 2022. He finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2021 and had 10 quarterback sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and one interception for Alabama in 2022. He'd be an especially good fit with the Cardinals, which lost J.J. Watt to retirement this past season. 

You Absolutely Need to Know These 3 Health Benefits of Cold Plunges

Although it's an ancient practice with roots spanning several cultures, cold water immersion has become a popular form of rehabilitative and meditative therapy in recent years. Cold immersion therapy includes ice baths, cold showers, and cold water plunges. Exposing the body to the extreme cold temperatures brings about reactions such as shallow breathing, body contractions, and an elevated heart rate. The idea is that by experiencing and overcoming these reactions we become better equipped and more capable of dealing with stress.  

Cold plunges, which involve submerging oneself in pools with water at around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, are also associated with a variety of physical health benefits. Below is a brief look at three of those benefits. 

Reduces Inflammation 

It shouldn't be a surprise that cold plunges can help reduce inflammation and, in turn, reduce symptoms of pain or muscle swelling. When you bruise a part of your body or experience muscle pain, doctors will recommend that you place an ice pack on the affected area for at least a few days to reduce swelling. A cold plunge, then, has a similar effect on the entire body.  

A study conducted by researchers in Hong Kong and published in the journal Medicine found that cold immersion following exercise could reduce muscle pain and inflammation for one day. This is because the cold water forces blood vessels to constrict which, in turn, results in less blood supply to impacted areas. Some of the world's best athletes, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Usain Bolt, are proponents of cold immersion therapy. 

Contributes to Weight Loss 

A study conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Health found that cold plunges also release the hormones FGF and Irisin. These hormones help burn fat tissues and can also help regulate metabolism. Cold plunges can also contribute to weight loss via the act of shivering, which generates body heat and burns calories. 

Improves Energy Levels 

Norepinephrine is another hormone released during cold plunges and other forms of cold immersion therapy. This hormone is responsible for regulating energy, attention, and focus. This means that exposing the body to cold water can help increase energy levels and improve focus.  

Cold water also stimulates the skin's nerve endings via a process known as cold thermogenesis. This process boosts overall energy levels by increasing the respiration rate, heart rate, and oxygen levels. Thus, a quick cold plunge can be an effective way to increase energy levels before a workout. 

NFT Fraud Spotlight: 3 Popular Scams You Need to Know

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) grew in popularity with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic as art sellers and collectors rushed to the digital space to trade the one-of-a-kind digital assets. Over the last year or so, the NFT market has evolved considerably, and in the course of doing so, it has attracted more criminal activity. Early in 2022, for example, hackers stole $625 million from Sky Mavis, the company that produces Axie Infinity, one of the world’s most popular crypto/NFT games. 

Smaller NFT scams are also prevalent with fraudsters posing as people other than themselves online in hopes of stealing money from unsuspecting NFT collectors and enthusiasts. Below are three of the most common scams. 

Rug Pull Scams 

Rug pull scams involve criminals promoting fake NFT projects that seem legitimate. Creators of most NFT projects usually offer a roadmap of their goals and how they intend to drive up the value of the NFTs. Some, however, might offer minimal information in this regard or pull all of their social media accounts and disappear with the NFT mint funds, leaving collectors with an NFT that has immediately lost value. 

In July, the United States Department of Justice charged six people involved in an NFT trading scam, one of whom stole $2.6 million from investors through a rug pull scam. 

You can avoid rug pull scams by purchasing NFTs exclusively on verified trading platforms or using security tools like rug pull detection and blockchain explorers. 

Fake NFT Offers 

Scammers also utilize email to try to swindle individuals with fake NFT offers. These phishing emails usually promise deals that seem too good to be true and involve an embedded link that takes the user to a fraudulent NFT marketplace. These fake websites are often equipped with malware like keylogging or other types of spyware that allows the sender to steal the user’s information and NFTs. 

Airdrop Scams 

In addition to email, scammers will often use social media to target victims. Fraudulent NFT giveaway campaigns, also known as airdrop scams, are common on social media platforms. Scammers will message individuals with a promise to give them a free NFT if they sign up on their website and promote their message. The catch is that they’ll need the user’s cryptocurrency wallet information to award the prize. 

Once a scammer has this information, they can gain access to the owner’s account and steal their entire library of NFTs. The best way to protect against airdrop scams is to avoid interacting with unverified accounts. 

Cryptocurrency Is Already Improving the World in These 4 Key Ways

Cryptocurrency is no longer just a novel concept in its infancy. Tokens from the decentralized financial system, supported by blockchain technology, are accepted by several major companies, including Starbucks, Whole Foods, and Microsoft. Not only does crypto have real-world applications as opposed to being just an investment vehicle, but it also has the potential to make the world a better place. In fact, it has already done so. The following are four benefits we have seen recently. 

1. Greater Access to Banking in Developing Countries 

There are more than 2 billion people in the world without access to a bank account. Many of these people live in developing countries without central banks or undeveloped banking systems. Decentralized currencies, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, are not subject to institutional influence and can be purchased, used, and sold without a bank account or necessary paperwork. As long as someone has access to the Internet, they can purchase crypto. 

2. Instant Money Transfers 

Another benefit of a decentralized financial system is instant money transfers. Wiring money from one bank account to another, especially from one country to another, can sometimes take more than a week to clear. Conversely, cryptocurrency transfers are instant and do not carry any hidden fees. Transferring crypto even has advantages over using traditional online payment systems, as these are subject to government regulations and often carry daily transaction limits. 

3. Reduction of Fraud and Increased Accountability 

While scammers have sought unique ways to gain access to digital wallets, cryptocurrency transactions are safer and more secure than credit card purchases. Scammers can easily steal a person's credit card information via insecure websites, whereas every crypto transaction is safely transferred electronically and permanently stored on the blockchain. This benefits both consumers as well as vendors and sellers. 

Moreover, because all transactions can be viewed on the blockchain, widespread adoption of crypto will hold companies more accountable and provide potential investors with more accurate financial information. 

4. Support of Scientific Advancement 

Cryptocurrency also promotes open and transparent collaboration, whether through crowdfunding in support of business ventures or the pursuit of scientific achievement. Blockchain technology ensures everyone equal access to real-time data and critical information that might otherwise be hidden by corporations and foundations. 

Nano Vision, for instance, is leveraging the power of blockchain technology to promote scientific advancement. The company developed a platform that "incentivizes the collection and use of molecular data at a global scale using blockchain and a new crypto asset to share data and resources." 

A Look at 4 of the Most Sustainable Cryptocurrencies

While cryptocurrency and blockchain technology has the potential to improve online security and enhance medical record-keeping, it does have its drawbacks. Miners use a series of complex computer systems to produce cryptocurrency tokens, and this, combined with the energy associated with processing trading transactions, has had a negative impact on the environment. According to a report produced by the UK-based financial site MoneySuperMarket, every Bitcoin transaction consumes 1,173 kilowatt-hours of electricity, or enough to power the average home in the United States for six weeks. Some analysts suggest annual cryptocurrency energy consumption is similar to that of a small country. 

However, some cryptocurrencies are far more eco-friendly than others. Those that rely on a proof of storage or proof of stake system are inherently more energy efficient, as they involve less processing power. Other creators have taken additional measures to lower the carbon footprint of their cryptocurrencies. The following are four of the most sustainable cryptocurrencies. 

SolarCoin 

SolarCoin was designed to incentivize solar energy installations. The global decentralized platform creates a new SolarCoin token for every megawatt-hour of energy generated via solar technology. Like other cryptocurrencies, tokens can be traded and spent where accepted. Users can upload supporting energy generation documentation to the SolarCoin platform to receive new tokens. 

Powerledger 

Established in 2016 and powered by Ethereum, Powerledger is a trading platform for energy and environmental commodities. Its token, POWR, debuted on Coinbase in November 2021 and was among the few cryptocurrencies to experience a rapid price increase during the market-wide crash around that time. It was trading on Coinbase at $0.63 on January 3, 2022. 

Nano 

Unlike most traditional cryptocurrencies, Nano doesn't rely on mining to generate new coins. Instead, it employs energy-efficient block-lattice technology, which creates individual user account-chains capable of managing up to 125 transactions per second. Nano is also a scalable and lightweight platform that allows users to add blocks asynchronously. For comparison's sake, it would take more than 60 million Nano transactions to equal the energy consumption of 2 seconds of Bitcoin transactions. 

Algorand 

A rapidly rising proof-of-stake blockchain that supports smart contracts, Algorand was launched in 2019 and recorded nearly 1 million daily transactions by December 2020. It maintains a partnership with ClimateTrade and, as of April 22, 2021, became completely carbon neutral. Founder Silvio Micali and the Algorand leadership team are hoping to take things a step further by creating a carbon-negative network. 

4 Things You Need to Know about Non-Fungible Tokens

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), like cryptocurrency, are supported by blockchain technology. These unique digital files contain embedded information that signifies proof of ownership and have monetary value as determined by the marketplace.  

NFTs can include digital photos and videos, music, and memes. Many have been sold for millions of dollars. Digital artist Beeple sold a collage via Christie's for a record $69 million, while musician Grimes sold digital art for in excess of $6 million in March 2021.  

Below are four things to know about NFTs. 

1. They Were First Launched on the Ethereum Blockchain 

The majority of NFTs are bought and sold on the Ethereum blockchain. While the first known NFT was created by Kevin McCoy in 2014, Ethereum has since been the NFT sector leader. Other blockchains, like TRON and Bitcoin Cash, have since implemented their own NFT support systems. Prospective NFT collectors need to first purchase crypto tokens associated with the respective blockchain to buy these one-of-a-kind digital items. 

2. They Can Be Purchased in Various Marketplaces 

While NFT transactions are facilitated by blockchain technology, the digital files themselves can be purchased at various online marketplaces and some mainstream auction houses. There are marketplaces dedicated to certain types of collectibles. Digitaltradingcards, for instance, is a popular online NFT store for baseball cards. Others, like OpenSea and SuperRare, sell a broader range of content. 

3. They Are Embedded with Copyright Information Verifying Their Authenticity 

There is nothing stopping someone from simply right-clicking an NFT file and saving it to their smartphone or computer. In essence, they can save an image for free that might have cost someone millions of dollars. However, these duplicate files are not embedded with copyright information, as is the case with the original. The best comparison is a unique piece of art, ie. the Mona Lisa. While there is only one original painting, there are many prints in circulation. 

4. They Have Empowered Content Creators and Brands 

Because of NFTs, artists and other content creators now have another avenue through which they can earn income. It might be unreasonable to expect to sell a digital sticker or other file on the iMessage App Store. Selling it as an NFT is more feasible. Moreover, creators can receive a percentage of the sale of their NFTs every time they are sold. That way, as the original goes up in value, the creator will benefit financially from their popularity. 

Many brands have also taken advantage of NFTs as an additional revenue stream. Taco Bell, for instance, sold 25 taco-themed images and GIFs in 30 minutes. Some files have since been resold on the secondary market for as much as $3,500. The NBA also sells digital collectibles via NBA Top Shot.