Report: Aaron Rodgers rejected another AFC East team before trade

Patriots HC Bill Belichick and former Packers QB Aaron Rodgers Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Aaron Rodgers rejected another AFC East team before picking Jets

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Jun 15, 2023 8:09 AM ET

In April, the drama surrounding where quarterback Aaron Rodgers would land came to a merciful end when he chose to play for the New York Jets. According to FS1's Craig Carton, though, another AFC East team had their eye on the multiple-time MVP.

On Wednesday's "The Carton Show," Carton reported that the New England Patriots made a run at Rodgers, but the new toast of New York rejected head coach Bill Belichick and the one-time NFL juggernaut.

"The New England Patriots made an offer to the Green Bay Packers to get Aaron Rodgers," Carton said Wednesday. "And when Aaron Rodgers heard it, his agent said no, we ain't playing for New England, we want to be a Jet."

.@craigcartonlive says the Patriots made an offer for Aaron Rodgers

"The Patriots made an offer for Aaron Rodgers, and he refused to play for New England." pic.twitter.com/qncsVLx6pS
— The Carton Show (@TheCartonShow) June 14, 2023

It might be difficult to imagine Rodgers donning a Patriots jersey or even interacting on the sideline with the hoodie-wearing Belichick, but there's no denying how terrifying that duo might have been in the competitive AFC East. Alas, it wasn't to be and Rodgers will instead lead the Jets, who are looking to rebound from a last-place finish in 2022.

As for the Patriots' quarterback situation, their interest in Rodgers (if true), is another indictment on Mac Jones. Following a solid rookie campaign in which he recorded 22 touchdown passes against 13 interceptions, the 24-year-old suffered from a sophomore slump last season.

Jones saw his completion percentage drop by more than two points (65.2) in 2022 and he finished the season with 14 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions across 14 starts. Once thought to be in danger of losing his job to second-year quarterback Bailey Zappe, recent reports suggest the Patriots have penciled in Jones as their starter for the time being.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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