Colin Cowherd proposes Aaron Rodgers alternative for Jets

Aaron Rodgers. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK

Colin Cowherd proposes intriguing Aaron Rodgers alternative for Jets

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/1/23

The New York Jets have seemingly put all of their eggs in the Aaron Rodgers basket, but what if the reported trade that will send him from Green Bay to New York doesn’t actually happen?

Rodgers has made it clear that it’s the Jets or retirement. But if the Packers remain bullish in demanding a first-round pick in exchange for the four-time league MVP, Colin Cowherd believes the Jets have the perfect backup plan already on their roster.

“I think the Jets have a great backup plan: start Zach Wilson and go get one of the two great quarterbacks next year,” Cowherd said on a recent episode of “The Herd.” “It’s just one year. That’s a great backup plan. Andrew Luck was a can’t-miss. Trevor Lawrence, to me, was a can’t-miss. Caleb Williams, to me, looks pretty close to a can’t-miss. We probably need to see a little more of Drake Maye, but he looks special.”

Would college football star QB and Heisman winner Caleb Williams be the #1 pick in this years draft?

His wideout sure thinks so.

The Trojans should make a lot of noise this upcoming season. pic.twitter.com/6QXmPYFQoW
— JWP Sports / CFBAlerts (@JWPSports) March 8, 2023

Wilson and Chris Streveler are the only quarterbacks New York has under contract for 2023. The 23-year-old struggled in 2022, completing just 54.5 percent of his passes while throwing six touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Though the former No. 2 overall pick appeared to be on his way out the door during the offseason, head coach Robert Saleh insisted that Wilson was a part of the team’s future plans, even stating at the NFL’s Annual Meeting that Wilson would be New York’s No. 2 QB heading into training camp.

But with Williams and Maye sitting at the top of the 2024 draft, it may be enticing to thrust Wilson back into a starting role, let him take his lumps and help New York secure one of the top two picks next year.

Considered a generational QB prospect, Williams threw for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2022 while adding the Heisman Trophy to his already impressive resume.

While he may not be as decorated a passer as Williams, scouts reportedly consider Maye to be better than any of the quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. He threw for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions en route to winning the ACC Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards.

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