Will he or won’t he? Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been the subject of NFL trade rumors for over a year now – if not more. But after a disappointing run with the Packers in 2022 and a growing inclination within the organization to begin a new chapter in Green Bay, the writing may be on the wall, so to speak.
According to a breaking NFL news tweet from ESPN reporter Dianna Russini, the team that is at the front of the queue are the New York Jets. They’re reportedly “optimistic” about their chances of landing the future Hall of Famer after jetting off to California for a tête-à-tête with the four-time NFL MVP.
In the wake of an extensive in-person meeting between Aaron Rodgers & New York Jets brass, including owner Woody Johnson, there’s optimism in the Jets’ organization that they are on the brink of landing the future Hall of Fame QB, sources close to the situation tell ESPN.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 9, 2023
According to New York Post reporter Brian Costello, Jets team owner Woody Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh and newly minted offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett boarded a private jet for an in-person meeting with Rodgers. Johnson was said to have left the meeting “excited and satisfied about the potential match”.
Adding to the drama and anticipation surrounding Rodgers is the fact that his intentions are unknown. The longtime Green Bay signal caller is keeping his cards close to his chest, refusing to say whether he is inclined to even play in the league in 2023, never mind in Green Bay. The word retirement continues to creep into conversations about the 39-year-old’s prospects, although if that was his real intention, one would assume that he would have already announced it.
Let alone, welcoming the Jets entourage to his Malibu pad. Why would he do that if his interest wasn’t piqued the slightest or – more importantly – if the Packers’ front office didn’t green-light it. If anything, this is the finer point here.
Should Green Bay trade Rodgers, it can move on to Jordan Love, the quarterback they caused quite a stir within the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft and sent seismic shockwaves through sports betting markets. Few saw that coming then. Rodgers included.
Love has sat behind Rodgers for three seasons now – not unlike Rodgers when he waited in the wings to replace the legendary Brett Favre.
Rodgers is in command of his future, per his contract with Green Bay that stipulates he must agree to any trades. He turns 40 in December.
Any decision regarding Rodgers’ future, which could be made as early as the free agency window that begins on Monday, will move the needle across the sportsbook exchange – if it hasn’t already.
Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams and even Robert Saleh’s brother are all trying to get Aaron Rodgers to come to the #Jets.
An all-out recruiting effort to get No. 12. pic.twitter.com/UyUxgutkps
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 8, 2023
The way the NFL odds currently stack up might imply it’s an almost done deal between Rodgers, Green Bay and New York. Why else is Green Bay only a middling contender for Super Bowl LVIII in early betting online markets, priced at +3500, while the Jets are priced at +1800?
There is no way that the Jets are remotely close to being contenders with their current crop of quarterbacks. Yes, the defense was a formidable unit in 2022 – elite in fact. They allowed the fourth-fewest points in the league. As well, cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
But the offense was an eyesore, to put it mildly. It left much to be desired with the shocking inefficient and unreliable quarterbacking from Zach Wilson, Mike White and Joe Flacco — all of which combined to ultimately sink New York’s chances of making the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
Rodgers followed up back-to-back NFL MVP winning seasons (2020 and 2021) with one of his worst ever. Injuries marred his performance – namely to his thumb and ribs – and affected him in the passing game. But let’s not forget the fact that Green Bay’s front office allowed his favorite weapon, All-Pro wideout Davante Adams, to leave for the greener pastures of the Las Vegas Raiders, too.
All told, is it any wonder Rodgers’ stats slipped in key categories. He tossed for 3,695 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Nevertheless, his performance was still markedly better than the aforementioned Gang Green’s trio.
The proof is in the pudding: Wilson, White and Flacco combined for 3,931 passing yards,14 touchdowns and 14 interceptions!
The gossip mill is churning with what a trade for Rodgers will look like, from the number of draft picks, players involved in the trade and the sums involved.
The last two seasons have seen blockbuster trades for veteran quarterbacks – from the Los Angeles Rams mortgaging their future to acquire Matthew Stafford from the DetroitLions, to the Denver Broncos giving up their right arm to snap up Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks.
Should the Rodgers trade happen, where will it rank among similar such trades?
