Insider: It's Packers, Jets 'or bust' for Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers may not have a handful of desirable options in front of him if he wants to play next season. 

New York Jets insider Zack Rosenblatt of 'The Athletic' spoke with people at the NFL combine this week and reported Friday that "it’s shaping up as Packers, Jets or bust for Rodgers, unless a mystery team plans to enter the fray." Rosenblatt referenced previous stories while offering that take. 

'The Athletic''s Vic Tafur wrote this past Wednesday that the Las Vegas Raiders aren't getting involved in a Rodgers sweepstakes because they "have too many holes on their roster to trade high draft picks for a 39-year-old quarterback." Earlier this week, new Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon told reporters he's "moving forward with" Ryan Tannehill on the roster. 

"Around the league, there is an expectation that if Rodgers doesn’t retire, he’ll likely return to the Packers — and that they’d welcome him back with open arms," Rosenblatt added. Last month, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero refuted a prior report and said that Green Bay would keep Rodgers atop the depth chart through the offseason "as long as he’s fully bought in." 

Rosenblatt did say, though, that the Jets "are willing to wait out Rodgers" despite their public flirtations with free agent Derek Carr. Rosenblatt named the Jets "as the favorite to land Carr" if Rodgers returns to Green Bay and said that the four-time Pro Bowl selection could sign a contract worth around $35 million to $40 million per year. It's unclear how much of that cash would be guaranteed or how many years would be attached to the deal. 

Rosenblatt also reported that he's heard the Jets will keep 2021 second overall draft pick Zach Wilson regardless of who is acquired. Jets general manager Joe Douglas suggested this week he isn't giving up on Wilson despite the 23-year-old's struggles this past season. 

Rodgers reportedly has a good relationship with Wilson. Meanwhile, it's been speculated that Carr may not love having the club's young investment constantly hovering over his shoulder. 

Rodgers indicated in a recent podcast appearance that he will "make a decision sooner rather than later" about his plans for 2023. Unless the future Hall of Famer retires, he may want to reach out to the Packers this weekend so they can either call the Jets about a trade or go forward with plans for the start of the new league year on March 15.