‘Shut down ESPN now,’ First Take viewers groan after Stephen A. Smith’s replacement causes New York Jets to claim live on air

FIRST Take fans were not impressed with one analyst’s take on Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.

Analyst Clinton Yates replaced Stephen A. Smith on Tuesday’s ESPN show.

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First Take host Molly Qerim and Smith were both on break when Shae Cornette took over hosting duties.

She was joined by ESPN’s Chicago Bears reporter Courtney Cronin, betting analyst Joe Fortenbaugh and columnist Yates.

During one segment, the program asked the question, “Would [the] Do the Jets make the playoffs this season?”

While New York is coming off a disappointing 7-10 season, they will welcome back Rodgers, who played just four games that campaign due to a torn Achilles.

While Fortenbaugh agrees with the Jets’ current favorable postseason betting odds in 2024, Yates isn’t so sure about his chances.

Yates revealed he has no faith in Rodgers to beat them in the playoffs.

“I don’t have remotely the confidence in him, in terms of executing at this level of his career, that some other people do,” he said.

Yates then referenced Rodgers’ off-field distractions, which include missing mandatory minicamp practices with the Jets for a trip to Egypt.

“I just don’t believe Rodgers comes into your facility (and) makes you a playoff team right away, especially from an injury standpoint,” he continued.

First Take fans, however, were unmoved by Yates’ stance.

“When will the regular team return?” one asked.

“Shut down ESPN now,” commented another.

“Get this man off the air ASAP,” added a third.

The Jets will need Rodgers, a 40-year-old four-time MVP, to stay healthy and contribute if they want to make the playoffs.

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New York will still have a top-five defense made up of Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams and CJ Mosley, among others.

They also addressed their offensive line in the offseason, signing Tyron Smith and Morgan Smith while selecting Olu Fashanu in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Rodgers will be able to utilize playmakers Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson, as well as new big-game addition Mike Williams.

The Jets will have their work cut out for them as Buffalo Accounts and Miami Dolphins made the playoffs last season.

New York, which has a top-11 odds to win the Super Bowl in 2024, is hoping to reach the postseason for the first time since 2010.