The NFL is the national pastime — television and betting and fantasy football aside — because it year after year continues to give us a cast of fascinating characters.
Many others could have been included, but here is The Post’s 2023 Most Fascinating:
1. Aaron Rodgers, Jets QB (2022 rank: 11)
You’d have to be held hostage in a darkness retreat not to list Mr. I Love New York at the top. The franchise that has endured so many Hard Knocks since Jan. 12, 1969 became the darling of Hard Knocks because of him. Flight 23: Buckle up.
2. Damar Hamlin, Bills S (NR)
3. Sean Payton, Broncos coach (20)
No Gilligan hats allowed on the sideline, but he’s an elite head coach, he can hack it. His diss of Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett makes for high drama in Week 5 when he welcomes Hackett and the Jets while trying to resurrect Russell Wilson.
4. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs QB (7)
Should the current GOAT repeat for his third Super Bowl championship, Tom Brady will start hearing footsteps.
5. Micah Parsons, Cowboys LB (2)
Imagine if former Giants GM Dave Gettleman had drafted this lion and Wink Martindale got his hands on him. Can he inspire comparisons to Lawrence Taylor?
6. Jalen Hurts, Eagles QB (49)
The $255 million man put on a show in Super Bowl 57 and has proven to be one of the great leaders in the game. Can he lead the Eagles back to Super Bowl 58?
7. Dak Prescott, Cowboys QB (34)
He’s vowed to cut down on his interceptions in new play-caller head coach Mike McCarthy’s Texas Coast offense. He’s America’s Team’s Quarterback, and he and his head coach are on the hot seat.
8. Bijan Robinson, Falcons RB (NR)
A better prospect than Saquon Barkley? Could he be the one who will carry the baton for the devalued RB army?
9. Jordan Love, Packers QB (NR)
The three-year apprenticeship behind Rodgers is over. Heir Jordan.
10. Lamar Jackson, Ravens QB (17)
He has a new contract, better weapons than he’s ever had and an offensive coordinator (Todd Monken) who will Let Lamar Cook.
11. Deshaun Watson, Browns QB (5)
Here’s the deal: the rust should be gone, and WRs Elijah Moore and rookie Cedric Tillman will help. But can he be elite again?
12. Anthony Richardson, Colts QB (NR)
The 6-foot-4, 244-pound freak with 4.43 speed and the 40.5-inch vertical jump. Now if he can play quarterback for rookie HC Shane Steichen, Jim Irsay will be tweeting up a storm.
13. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins QB (24)
If the offseason jiu-jitsu helps prevent those frightening concussions, he might be able to answer critics who can’t forget the franchise passed on Justin Herbert.
14. Eric Bieniemy, Commanders offensive coordinator (NR)
The hard-nosed OC who has been bypassed countless times for head coaching jobs gets to spread his wings apart from Andy Reid. Mahomes is no longer his quarterback. Sam Howell is.
15. Brock Purdy, 49ers QB (NR)
The game wasn’t too big last year for Mr. Irrelevant, but if he doesn’t stay relevant, Kyle Shanahan sure seems to like Sam Darnold.
16. Justin Fields, Bears QB (27)
He can be a fantasy darling because of his legs, but a Year 3 jump with his arm with a better supporting cast is the Windy City expectation.
17. Bill Belichick, Patriots coach (23)
Do you suppose the GOAT likes hearing he’s been 25-25 with one playoff loss since Tom Brady divorced him, with Robert Kraft becoming a tad impatient?
18. Caleb Williams, USC QB (NR)
The Tankathon will be in full motion (we see you, Cardinals) for this generational quarterback who is a threat to become the only two-time Heisman winner besides Archie Griffin.
19. Travis Kelce, Chiefs TE (NR)
The two-time Super Bowl champion tight end free spirit has been having as much fun with Mahomes as Rob Gronkowski did with Brady. Can he replicate last year’s 110-catch, 12-touchdown season as he turns 34 in October?
20. Jets fans (NR)
The loudest J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS we’ve ever heard.
21. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars QB (10)
A generational talent primed to be elite with a new target like WR Calvin Ridley and a quarterback-friendly HC like Doug Pederson.
22. Tom Brady, Fox Sports (3)
He won’t be out of sight or out of mind when the Patriots throw an opening day lovefest for him. Speculation will run rampant about a comeback as soon as someone loses their quarterback. Gisele won’t be waiting for him, but a 10-year, $375 million deal as FOX Sports’ lead NFL analyst in 2024 will be.
23. Dan Campbell, Lions coach (30)
The head coach has the type of grit mentality that none other than Charles Barkley would have loved to play for, with a team that looks ready to make noise. Co-favorite for Coach of the Year.
24. Bryce Young, Panthers QB (48)
The first overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft with the elite instincts is easy to root for, especially if you’re 5-foot-10 or less.
25. Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders QB (NR)
If Jimmy GQ can’t stay on the field, Mark Davis and Josh McDaniels will be sorry Derek Carr is gone.
26. Russell Wilson, Broncos QB (4)
Ciara loves that he’s shed 15 pounds, but he still has to answer this question: is Russ Cooked? If Payton can’t help him, no one can.
27. Geno Smith, Seahawks QB (NR)
Don’t write the Comeback Player of the Year off as a one-hit wonder. He won’t write back, and now that he’s a pescatarian, look for him to employ his legs more.
28. Nathaniel Hackett, Jets offensive coordinator (NR)
He was the magnet who drew Rodgers to the Jets. No Payton questions, please.
29. Bill O’Brien, Patriots offensive coordinator (NR)
Mac Jones never had a chance last season with Matt Patricia and Joe Judge.
30. Justin Herbert, Chargers QB (13)
The $262.5 million man with the golden arm now needs to hang onto a 27-0 playoff lead.
31. Justin Jefferson, Vikings WR (NR)
BetOnline has the over/under numbers at 107.5 receptions and 1,400.5 yards for the thoroughbred off to the best three-year start by any WR in NFL history.
32. Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens WR (NR)
Rodgers wanted him. Barkley wanted him. Von Miller wanted him. Jerry Jones wanted him. Jackson got him. Can he make a difference after a year off with his 31st birthday in November?
33. Calvin Ridley, Jaguars WR (NR)
Bet that he’ll make an impact after his one-year suspension for betting on NFL games during the 2021 season.
34. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins WR (15)
Cheetah has predicted a 2,000-yard season and a Super Bowl. Arguably the Most Exciting Player in Football.
35. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions RB (NR)
Gifted OC Ben Johnson should be able to dial up 60 receptions for the dynamic rookie who has drawn comparisons to Alvin Kamara.
36. Jalen Carter, Eagles DT (NR)
He’s looked as dominant in training camp as he did at Georgia before the character concerns surfaced.
37. Magic Johnson, Commanders limited partner (NR)
A limited partner under new owner Josh Harris. He’ll be at the opener flashing that magic smile and helping the fan base try to forget Dan Snyder’s reign of toxicity.
38. Andy Reid, Chiefs coach (NR)
Must still be nice watching Mahomes film while wolfing down cheeseburgers, right?
39. Josh Allen, Bills QB (6)
Jim Kelly and the Bills Mafia are still waiting for the dual-threat face of the franchise and Verizon Wireless Sunday Ticket pitchman to get to a Super Bowl (and maybe win one)?
40. Joe Burrow, Bengals QB (12)
New Year’s Eve in Kansas City: Joe Shiesty resumes his rivalry with Mahomes. Postgame cigar no doubt if he’s victorious.
41. Catherine Raiche, Browns executive (NR)
Highest-ranked female team personnel executive in NFL history as Assistant GM and VP of Football Operations.
42. Derek Carr, Saints QB (NR)
He wouldn’t have moved the needle for “Hard Knocks” had the Jets signed him, but he’ll enjoy targeting Chris Olave in a winnable division.
43. Saquon Barkley, Giants RB (50)
The $11-million bargain looks motivated to remind the league that he’s a weapon more than he’s a devalued RB.
44. Garrett Wilson, Jets WR (NR)
If this 17 reminds Rodgers of his former 17 (Davante Adams), Bart and Hahn will have plenty to talk about with him on weekdays on ESPN New York.
45. C.J. Stroud, Texans QB (47)
He’s shown good ball placement and leadership as he ushers in the DeMeco Ryans Era.
46. Pete Carroll, Seahawks coach (NR)
The oldest head coach in the NFL — still The Energizer Bunny — somehow turns 72 in September, which means that Belichick is five months younger.
47. Dexter Lawrence, Giants DL (NR)
No need to feel self-conscious about a Sexy Dexy sack dance if he isn’t.
48. Vic Fangio, Dolphins defensive coordinator (NR)
The wily DC has a chance to be the most impactful assistant coach in the league in 2023.
49. Julian Edelman, Fox Sports (NR)
The three-time Super Bowl champion is Fox NFL Kickoff’s new analyst. Has TB12 recruited talent already?
50. The ManningCast, ESPN (9)
The Royalty Bros. are back on ESPN2 and ESPN+ on Monday nights for nine games and one playoff game.
Who dropped off from last year’s list?
Trey Lance (1), Von Miller (8), Davante Adams (14), Cooper Kupp (16), Mac Jones (18), Aaron Donald (21), T.J. Watt (22), Deebo Samuel (25), Josh McDaniels (26), Mike McCarthy (28), Todd Bowles (29), Brian Flores (31), Matt Ryan (32), Carson Wentz (33), Kenny Pickett (35), Kyle Pitts (36), Mike McDaniel (37), Doug Pederson (38), Derrick Henry (39), Kayvon Thibodeaux (40), Zach Wilson (41), Baker Mayfield (42), Sandra Douglass Morgan (43), Kevin Burkhardt (44), Brian Daboll (45), Mike Tirico (46)
