The New York Jets are looking for a quarterback, and the current fan favorites are down to two… neither of whom is on the roster.
Aaron Rodgers and Derek Carr, come on down
Both have been connected with the Jets, with Carr – an unrestricted free agent -- meeting with the club last week. Apparently, it went well. ESPN reported that club officials were so high on the former Raiders' quarterback that they told him he could become “a first-ballot Hall of Famer” if he'd come to New York.
Honest.
Rodgers, on the other hand, almost certainly becomes a first-ballot Hall of Famer, whether he comes to New York or not. One problem: Unlike Carr, he’s not a free agent. He’s still under contract with the Packers. So he goes nowhere unless Green Bay is willing to trade him.
But first things first. Rodgers has to decide if he wants to play next season.
So what do the Jets do: Try to sign Carr or wait on Rodgers? We asked former Jets’ defensive star Joe Klecko, elected to the Hall-of-Fame’s Class of 2023, and he was direct with his answer.
“I see a fit with Carr,” he said on the latest “Eye Test for Two” podcast. “The reason being (is that) it reminds me of myself when we were a young team coming up in the early ‘80s and everybody was together. They (the current Jets) seem to be drafted together or brought together because the coach really has a need.
“He was talking to me during the offseason this year, and he said (former Jets’ coach) Rex Ryan gave him some information, (saying), ‘Bring guys in that know you.’, And that’s what he’s done. These guys have played well together.
“I just think if you bring a guy like Rodgers in … he’s so condescending to other players who don’t do things his way. I don’t see that as a fit with these young guys who are busting their ass and all doing great things.”
Of course, there’s more to this decision than compatability. Rodgers is 39; Carr is 31. Rodgers would command a king’s ransom in draft capital and salary. Carr would not. Rodgers is coming off a self-imposed “darkness retreat” in Oregon. Carr is meeting with interested suitors across the country.
“You ever been on a darkness retreat?” Klecko was asked.
“I don’t know,” he answered, laughing. “After a few good wins, it was dark. I don’t know why. It wasn’t by choice. “
Of course, Rodgers also has something Carr does not: A zircon-encrusted pedigree. He’s a four-time league MVP, last winning in 2021 … a five-time All-Pro … a 10-time Pro Bowler … an all-decade choice … and he’s been to the playoffs 11 times as Green Bay's starter, winning his only Super Bowl appearance.
Carr is a four-time Pro Bowler who’s 0-1 in the playoffs.
“Listen,” Klecko said, (Carr) had (four) Pro Bowls, and he’s been a good player. I see him as a good fit because I think he could do everything you want to do with him.
"Of course, the offensive line needs some attention. But I think if they do that and bring him in and keep him healthy, of course, the Jets could be somewhat … “
He stopped there, and shifted to last season’s collapse.
“After they were 7-4,” he said “and they lost (those) last (six) games, it was all predicated on handing off … and everybody knew that. That hurt them a lot. If they keep the defense the way they are … even if they didn’t add anybody … they’re going to be a dynamite defense.
“But if you get to play ahead in the game, it’s going to make them even better. Playing defensive football when you’re ahead in football games, makes a big difference. And if they can do that by putting up points up early, it’s going to be a lot different for the coach to call plays.”
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