Aaron Rodgers is even more interesting than he was a year ago and therefore maintains his hold atop our annual NFL’s 50 Most Fascinating.

This year’s compelling list includes a pair of exciting rookie franchise quarterbacks, a pair of high-profile head coaches, a pair of game-breaking rookie receivers, a pair of head coaches on the hot seat, a pair of elite college quarterbacks who will be coveted by NFL teams, a pair of former Patriots GOATs who have moved to television … and even a pair of Kelces.

And one acknowledgement to the New York Football Giants for their 100th anniversary season:

1. Aaron Rodgers

Jets QB (2023 rank: 1)

Our crack staff was reluctant to place him atop the rankings for a second straight season even after reading Ian O’Connor’s masterpiece book “Out of the Darkness,” because what if he doesn’t last for more than four plays again? But seriously, folks, Primetime A-Rod is Must Watch and Must Listen. And for this Jets regime, Must Win.

2. Caleb Williams

Bears QB (18)

The first-overall draft pick has a chance to become the franchise’s first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season. A young Patrick Mahomes? He looks awfully polished, and we’re not talking about his nails.

3. Dan Campbell

Lions coach (23)

Motor City Dan Campbell has Detroit poised for its first Super Bowl berth. MCDC got too aggressive in the ill-fated NFC Championship game, but all has been forgiven. A tough team that reflects its tough coach for a tough town.

4. Jim Harbaugh

Chargers coach (NR)

National championship coach and Michigan Man returns to NFL to attempt to beat his brother John — or anyone else — in a second Super Bowl appearance. Who has it better than him? NOBODY! (Let’s wait before we tell him it’s Andy Reid.)

5. Patrick Mahomes

Chiefs QB (4)

A behind-the-back pass in a game? A three-peat would give him four rings at age 29. Plenty of time to chase down Tom Brady’s seven.

6. Tom Brady

Fox analyst (22)

The GOAT makes his 10-year, $375 million Fox debut for the Browns home opener against the Cowboys. He’s lucky to have Kevin Burkhardt to set him up. Ask Greg Olsen.

7. Dak Prescott

Cowboys QB (7)

Will Jerry Jones give him a monster extension in the last year of his contract or will he be willing to lose his star quarterback to free agency in 2025?

8. Jayden Daniels

Commanders QB (NR)

The 2023 dual-threat Heisman winner and second-overall pick is the perfect fit with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

9. Saquon Barkley

Eagles RB (43)

The huge storyline up and down the Turnpike as the running back who wasn’t allowed to be a Giant For Life much to John Mara’s chagrin eyes revenge behind the best O-line he’s ever had.

10. C.J. Stroud

Texans QB (45)

The Offensive Rookie of the Year won’t be any one-hit wonder throwing to Nico Collins, Tank Dell and now Stefon Diggs, and occasionally to RB Joe Mixon.

11. Jerod Mayo

Patriots coach (NR)

He’s the lucky one who succeeds Bill Belichick just in time for a rebuild.

12. Tyreek Hill

Dolphins WR (34)

The NFL’s most electrifying weapon will be targeting 2,000 receiving yards yet again. Noah Lyles, come on down!

13. Josh Allen

Bills QB (39)

A dual-threat buffalo of a quarterback in his prime and still a threat to lead the Bills Mafia to their first Super Bowl championship.

14. Jordan Love

Packers QB (9)

He earned his four year, $220 million contract with an 18-TD, 1-INT flurry and now tries to beat his mentor Rodgers to a Super Bowl.

15. Bill Belichick

TV analyst (NR)

Everyone knew he’d be a natural on television, right? The New England media is still recovering from shell shock. You’ll find the GOAT on “Inside the NFL” and on McAfee, and you might be surprised how good he’ll be. His shadow will be lurking over Mike McCarthy in Dallas and Nick Sirianni in Philly. TV stars get all the young ladies.

16. Travis Kelce

Chiefs TE (19)

He’s much more than Mr. Taylor Swift, even with his 35th birthday in October. Marriage rumors will continue to fly. A cameo in Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore 2” to boot.

17. Antonio Pierce

Raiders coach (NR)

Got his players to run through a wall for him and earned the full-time gig. But Gardner Minshew is his starting quarterback.

18. Malik Nabers

Giants WR (NR)

The latest in a line of elite LSU receivers will be flooded with targets from Daniel Jones. A better prospect than Odell Beckham Jr.

19. Kirk Cousins

Falcons QB (NR)

Back from an Achilles tear, Captain Kirk gives new coach Raheem Morris a chance to win the division surrounded by weapons Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts.

20. Jerry Jones

Cowboys owner (NR)

No hot seat ever for him, but would he let Prescott walk? And will he set the market for Micah Parsons or wait? At least he finally locked up CeeDee Lamb for $136 million. Would he invite Belichick to coach America’s Team in his Super Bowl desperation?

21. Andy Reid

Chiefs coach (38)

Big Red came back for a three-peat. Why would he ever want to leave Mahomes? With three Lombardis, he’s one behind Chuck Noll and three behind Belichick.

22. Lamar Jackson

Ravens QB (10)

Defending and two-time MVP has critics to silence because he’s 2-4 in the playoffs. Perhaps shedding 10 pounds will make him even more elusive.

23. Kyle Shanahan

49ers coach (NR)

Arguably the league’s best play-caller has yet to prove he can win The Big One. The window remains open.

24. Kyler Murray

Cardinals QB (NR)

He’s all the way back from a December 2022 ACL tear and no one cares that he’s 5-foot-10 anymore.

25. Sean Payton

Broncos coach (3)

The elite coach gets to work his magic with rookie Bo Nix and try to bring the franchise back from the Russell Wilson nightmare.

26. Justin Fields

Steelers QB (16)

Even with Russell Wilson named starter, he will be on a very short leash. Fields was acquired for a sixth-round pick that could become a fourth-rounder based on playing time. He showed flashes in Chicago, and flashes may be enough for Mike Tomlin if Dangeruss stumbles.

27. Special teams coordinators (NR)

The new kickoff rules have had these guys burning the midnight oil desperately seeking any possible edge.

28. Drake Maye

Patriots QB (NR)

The quarterback the Giants coveted in the draft will help Mayo usher in a new era for Robert Kraft once Jacoby Brissett is told to hand the ball off to him.

29. Puka Nacua

Rams WR (NR)

The 107th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft caught 105 passes. Who saw that coming? Maybe only Sean McVay.

30. Derrick Henry

Ravens RB (NR)

How much tread does the big fella have on those 30-year-old tires after 2,030 career rushing attempts and 90 rushing TDs one year after Gus Edwards scored 13 TDs for John Harbaugh and Todd Monken?

31. Jalen Hurts

Eagles QB (6)

Can he recapture his 2022 MVP form and can new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore help smooth his strained relationship with embattled coach Nick Sirianni?

32. Brian Baldinger

NFL Network analyst (NR)

Baldy’s Breakdowns have become a must-watch staple for players, coaches, reporters and fans alike.

33. Anthony Richardson

Colts QB (12)

His rookie 2023 season ended in Week 5 (shoulder surgery) and the Bengals mocked his passing in a joint practice in August. He is a tantalizing 6-4, 244-pound specimen who at the very least would force defenses to pick their poison alongside RB Jonathan Taylor.

34. Marvin Harrison Jr.

Cardinals WR (NR)

The fourth-overall pick and son of the former Colts legend could catch 100 passes from Murray.

35. Garrett Wilson

Jets WR (44)

He reminds Rodgers of Davante Adams, who enjoyed four seasons with 100 or more catches from him in Green Bay. Back to his No. 5 jersey he wore at Ohio State after catching 95 balls last season in No. 17 with Zach Wilson & Misery Loves Co.

36. Davante Adams

Raiders WR (NR)

Did you watch “Receiver” on Netflix? Think he’s happy catching passes from Minshew? Think he wouldn’t want a reunion with Rodgers? Think Joe Douglas won’t want to trade for him if Mike Williams goes down?

37. Bo Nix

Broncos QB (NR)

The 12th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft even though many evaluators considered him a second-rounder. Let’s see if Payton can turn him into a raw, inexperienced version of Drew Brees.

38. Big Dom DiSandro

Eagles security officer (NR)

You might remember Big Dom getting into a sideline scuffle with 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw, which earned him a sideline ban during which the Eagles went 1-4. The club added the title of director of gameday coaching operations to DiSandro’s role. John Madden would have loved this guy.

39. Joe Burrow

Bengals QB (40)

A candidate to win his second Comeback Player of the Year award after a wrist injury ended his 2023 season in mid-November. Blondes have more fun, perhaps?

40. Micah Parsons

Cowboys LB (4)

No, he isn’t Lawrence Taylor. But yes, he can do Lawrence Taylor things.

41. Robert Saleh

Jets coach (NR)

His fate is in Rodgers’ hands. A seat as hot as anybody’s.

42. Mike McDaniel

Dolphins coach (NR)

A quirky offensive whiz whose news conferences sometimes have to be seen and heard to be believed. Social media deemed his recent Miami Vice-inspired press conference look as “if the city of Miami were a person.” Hill’s thumb injury? McDaniel: “I’m really good at thumb war. He lost.”

43. Xavier Worthy

Chiefs WR (NR)

The rook runs a 4.21 40 and gets to catch bombs from Mahomes.

44. Mike McCarthy

Cowboys coach (NR)

NFC Championship game or bust. And maybe bust anyway.

45. Carson Beck

Georgia QB (NR)

Quarterback-needy NFL teams will be salivating and may need to land him at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft, especially if he wins a national championship.

46. Shedeur Sanders

Colorado QB (NR)

Quarterback-needy NFL teams will be eyeing Coach Prime’s son who looks ready for Primetime.

47. Jason Kelce

ESPN analyst (NR)

The Eagles legend will be Pushing his Tush on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” and of course on his “New Heights” podcast with brother Travis. His Twitter feed introduction reads: Authenticity is hard to find, come get your dose of real.

48. Pat McAfee

ESPN host (NR)

What’s the best word for this guy? Irreverent? Entertaining? Controversial? $30 million annually for a former punter? Yup. The Apocalypse is near.

49. Eli Manning

ESPN analyst (50)

The ManningCast will be a fixture on this list. Especially now with Eli Hall of Fame eligible in 2025. He belongs.

50. Wellington Mara

Former Giants owner (NR)

It’s only fitting that the Hall of Fame patriarch of the New York Football Giants is invited right here to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his beloved franchise.

WHO DROPPED OFF LAST YEAR’S LIST?

Damar Hamlin (2), Bijan Robinson (8), Deshaun Watson (11), Tua Tagovailoa (13), Eric Bieniemy (14), Brock Purdy (15), Jets fans (20), Trevor Lawrence (21), Bryce Young (24), Jimmy Garoppolo (25), Russell Wilson (26), Geno Smith (27), Nathaniel Hackett (28), Bill O’Brien (29), Justin Herbert (30), Justin Jefferson (31), Odell Beckham Jr. (32), Calvin Ridley (33), Jahmyr Gibbs (35), Jalen Carter (36), Magic Johnson (37), Catherine Raiche (41), Derek Carr (42), Pete Carroll (46), Dexter Lawrence (47), Vic Fangio (48), Julian Edelman (49)