The New York Jets were a part of the first trade of the 2024 NFL Draft when they traded back just one pick with the Minnesota Vikings from No. 10 to No. 11 overall. With Minnesota selecting their quarterback of the future in J.J. McCarthy and New York looking to protect their veteran quarterback by selecting Penn State offensive lineman Olu Fashanu.
Aaron Rodgers is the aforementioned quarterback, and during the NFL Draft, he joined the Pat McAfee show and reacted to the Jets’ first-round selection.
“Yeah I mean we already made three moves in the offseason bringing in John [Simpson] to play guard, and Morgan [Moses] to play tackle, and Tyron [Smith] to play tackle as well,” Rodgers said. “So it wasn’t necessarily the top of the needs, but I know they really loved Olu and I loved what Joe [Douglas] did moving back and getting a couple more picks.”
Rodgers will look to bounce back and return to the New York lineup this upcoming season after missing the entirety of his first year with the franchise with a season-ending Achilles injury. And general manager Joe Douglas has made it pretty clear through his offseason decision-making that he wants to protect the NFL’s oldest quarterback ahead of the 2024 season.
“Back to Olu, he didn’t give up a sack I think his entire college career. Which is saying a lot because you’re going against great schools in the Big Ten like Wisconsin and every now and then Iowa, right Mad Mel?” Rodgers said joking with the PMS persona.
“But I love our skill group, I knew that we really liked all three of the receivers so I was watching film on those guys, I watched film on the lineman. Olu is a mauler and he had an incredible career at Penn State. He’s not gonna need to jump in right away, at tackle for sure, we’ll see if we work him in at guard but I think he’s going to have a long career in the league. Much longer than I’m gonna be in New Jersey.”
Many were curious if New York would add another offensive playmaker to their team with their first-round pick, with Rogers mentioning the top three wide receivers in this year’s draft class. But with Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabbers, and Rome Odunze already off of the board, the Jets decided to go with the 6-foot-6, 312-pound offensive lineman with plenty of upside and room to go left to grow in his career.
“So excited for him, excited to welcome him to the team,” Rodgers said. “It’s a great o-line room, very well coached, and a lot of great personalities that we added to the mix. So excited about adding him to the team.”
New York would go on to select Western Kentucky wideout Malachi Corley with their second selection of the draft along with three more consecutive picks on the offensive side of the ball. Also adding former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams this offseason as they look to put all their chips in on making a potential playoff run in what’s likely to be the final handful of seasons in Rodgers’ career.
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