Throughout the offseason, Aaron Rodgers has been closely connected to the Jets as speculation regarding his playing future continues to swirl. Another development pointing towards a Green-Bay-to-New-York move has taken place.
Rodgers had discussions with the Jets about a potential move there yesterday, as first noted by veteran reporter Trey Wingo and since corroborated by multiple reports. Wingo adds that Rodgers is “open to the idea” of playing in New York, something which would of course be required for trade talks between the Packers and Jets to become serious. Since Rodgers is still under contract with Green Bay, the Packers needed to grant the Jets permission to speak with him to avoid tampering.
The fact that they did comes as no surprise at this point. The Jets have been outspoken about their intentions of making a significant addition under center this offseason, and their top target has at all times been Rodgers. The two sides were speculatively linked to one another when New York hired Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, who developed a strong bond with the four-time MVP during their time spent together in Green Bay.
Plan B for the Jets was former Raider Derek Carr, whose early release gave him a head start on free agency. After positive meetings with the AFC East outfit, many expected him to wind up in New York in the event they were unable to trade for Rodgers. Instead, he chose the Saints yesterday in a move that landed him a lucrative deal before Rodgers’ future was decided one way or the other, and before other pending free agents officially hit the open market.
One of those is Jimmy Garoppolo, whose tenure with the 49ers is – for the second straight offseason – expected to come to an end. Before New York’s front office keyed in on Carr, many in the building supported Garoppolo as an option, per ESPN’s Dianna Russini. With Carr no longer available, it will be worth monitoring how much attention the Jets pay to Garoppolo, who will no doubt have several suitors especially if Rodgers retires or chooses to remain in Green Bay.
The latter outcome has not been the expected one, however, since a report emerged last month claiming that the Packers were fully prepared to move on from Rodgers and turn the offense over to Jordan Love. Green Bay GM Brian Gutekunst has publicly praised the latter while deferring to Rodgers in terms of deciding on his playing future and where, if at all, he would accept a trade. Few talks have taken place between Gutekunst and the 39-year-old since his darkness retreat ended.
On the matter of a potential Packers-Jets trade, compensation could present a notable obstacle. Rodgers’ contract calls for a $58.3M bonus to be paid at some point in 2023; that, coupled with the uncertainty of how much longer he will continue playing could lessen the trade cost the Jets would be willing to pay. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel notes that many around the league expect the Packers to receive a smaller package of draft picks than they initially wanted due to the financial burden Rodgers represents. Green Bay may be required to retain part of his compensation to facilitate a deal, and a contract restructure upon arrival in New York would come as little surprise.
A decision from Rodgers with respect to his future is expected soon. Once it is made, the Jets could come even more strongly to the forefront in their bid to acquire him in what would be one of the blockbuster moves of the 2023 offseason.
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