Jets owner suggests they'll wait for Aaron Rodgers over Lamar Jackson

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has hinted he'll wait to land Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers rather than make a bold move for Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson.

"We're not gonna be distracted by a lot of other things that are happening that could be attractive in some people's minds," Johnson told reporters on Tuesday, per Lou DiPietro of Audacy. "Gonna just stick to our plan." 

It was back on March 15 when Rodgers confirmed during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he intends to play for the Jets later this year. On Tuesday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur spoke of Rodgers in the past tense and essentially declared that 2020 first-round draft pick Jordan Love is his QB1 this spring. 

Jets general manager Joe Douglas said on Monday that "it would be disingenuous and negotiating in bad faith" to reach out to Jackson while he's on the non-exclusive franchise tag because New York expects to trade for Rodgers. Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported late Monday night that the Packers and Jets were discussing "protection for draft-pick compensation in the event that Rodgers doesn’t play in the 2024 NFL season." 

Johnson understandably wants to finalize the trade but also sounds unwilling to blink in what Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio called a "game of chicken" back on March 14. Meanwhile, the Packers theoretically could wait until the summer to send Rodgers to the Big Apple if they don't get what they want from the Jets this spring. 

"Well, you know, I think we're anxious. We're anxious," Johnson admitted, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. "I guess, as we look forward, we're optimistic. But we have a plan, so we're willing to stick with our plan. And I don't think anybody is hyperventilating at this point."

Jackson revealed on Monday he requested a trade from the Ravens on March 2, but Baltimore still can match any offer he accepts or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation. Whatever happens, the Jets have left no doubt Rodgers is their top choice among possible upgrades at the sport's most important position ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft.