Darren Waller Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Raiders' Darren Waller recruits Packers' Aaron Rodgers

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 2/10/23

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller isn't letting the New York Jets have all the fun as it pertains to recruiting Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Waller spoke with TMZ Sports from a Super Bowl party and made his pitch to Rodgers about orchestrating a trade from the Packers to the Raiders this offseason. Specifically, Waller mentioned himself, star running back Josh Jacobs, and pass-rusher Maxx Crosby as reasons for why Rodgers should ditch the Packers and snub the Jets to head to Vegas.

"If you come, it's gonna be lit," Waller declared to Rodgers in front of the camera.

Rodgers has repeatedly been linked with the Raiders since they decided to move on from Derek Carr before the end of the 2022 season. All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, Rodgers' former teammate with the Packers, has made it known he'd love to again catch passes thrown by the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player. Jacobs also seems to be all-in on the Raiders acquiring Rodgers even though the ball-carrier's playing future is in question ahead of the start of the new league year in March.

Before Waller's comments went public, Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson and tight end C.J. Uzomah publicly campaigned for Rodgers to sign off on a trade to New York. Wilson went so far as to say that the Jets currently "have a better team than the Raiders."

As David Hookstead noted for Outkick, Jets owner Woody Johnson indicated on Thursday night he will pursue "the best quarterback" available without directly naming a signal-caller who is currently attached to a different organization.

Jets owner Woody Johnson on their search for a veteran QB and if Aaron Rodgers is possibly on their radar: pic.twitter.com/FRnAOInWBx
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) February 10, 2023

It was reported on Thursday that the Packers will want "at least two first-round picks and a third-round pick or two first-round picks and a player of significance" for their franchise quarterback. That price may increase if Carr heads to the New Orleans Saints, Tom Brady remains retired through at least the NFL Draft, and the New York Giants hold onto Daniel Jones by signing him to a new deal or using the franchise tag.

Individuals associated with the Raiders and Jets aren't hiding that they'd love to play alongside Rodgers, but he's apparently waiting until he completes a four-day "darkness retreat" before he makes a final decision regarding his future.

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