Jets in talks with Packers, Aaron Rodgers, sources say
The New York Jets have had conversations with the Green Bay Packers and with quarterback Aaron Rodgers this week regarding a potential trade of the four-time MVP to the Jets, according to sources.
The sources said some of those conversations were expected to take place Tuesday, but that it's unclear as of Tuesday morning whether they will result in a trade.
Rodgers still has not made any announcements about what he intends to do this season. It's still possible he decides to retire, or to stay in Green Bay. But if he still wants to play and he and the Packers agree it's time for him to play somewhere else, the Jets appear to be a realistic option.
If the Jets are speaking directly with Rodgers, they and he would have had to secure the Packers' permission, as he is still under contract with Green Bay. So, the discussions Rodgers is having with the Jets indicate at least some openness on the part of the Packers to the idea of trading him there.
But there are potential complications to a deal, including Rodgers' huge and complicated contract, that might have to be addressed to make sure both teams would be in compliance with the salary cap by the start of the league year next Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Rodgers is under contract through 2024 for $108.8 million. Technically, the contract, signed last March, runs through 2026, but 2025 and 2026 are considered "dummy" years for cap purposes. His deal includes a fully guaranteed $59.5 million this season, with $58.3 million coming in the form of an option bonus, payable before the start of the regular season.
Because his bonus money is prorated, Rodgers wouldn't hobble the Jets' cap. He would count $15.8 million in 2023 and $32.5 million in 2024, cap-friendly for a player of his stature.
The Packers would get hit with a $40.3 million "dead" charge in 2023 -- nearly $9 million more than he'd count if he were on the roster.
Originally Posted by Mecca:
Tom Brady seeks out veteran WRs to play with his entire career: "look how Committed to winning he is"
Aaron Rodgers isn't allowed to have a say in team building for 20 years because the Packers are ran by Great Grandparents, has to speak out and request a change to organizational philosophy, then tells potential new team that he wants veteran Receivers: "insufferable"
People really underestimate how old-school and unwilling to change to Green Bay Packers are.
Could Aaron have done it sooner than the end of the season press conference where he talked about it? Sure. Should he have to when every elite QB in the league is granted those liberties? No. It cost him a large part of his reputation by having to make a big deal out of it just to win some consolations with that front office.
But nobody wants to cover that angle, Rodgers as the villain is way more spicy!
It's not mutually exclusive, Aaron and the Packers both...
Originally Posted by Mecca:
Once again, do you think if any team that treated it's future HOF QB the way the Packers have, it would go well?
Packers and Aaron Rodgers situation is why teams owned by the communities don't work. You got to have an owner with an ego to soothe over situations. [Reply]
Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy:
Plus, he is washed. Lacks passion, throws too many INTs (which used to be his strength), can't scramble like he once could and reportedly not a good teammate/leader.
We will see how he does but if I'm a Jets fan I wouldn't get too excited.
Acquiring Rodgers would immediately get the Jets the closest they've been to being a Super Bowl contender in 50 years.
If the trade goes through, Rodgers will want to prove that his lack of rings was the Packers fault for not providing him with good enough teams throughout his career. [Reply]
Originally Posted by AussieChiefsFan:
Acquiring Rodgers would immediately get the Jets the closest they've been to being a Super Bowl contender in 50 years.
If the trade goes through, Rodgers will want to prove that his lack of rings was the Packers fault for not providing him with good enough teams throughout his career.
The trade is going through. It's a done deal except for GB including a conditional pick if Rodgers bails after one year. Eventually they'll decide what that pick should be, but it's done.
But you're otherwise correct; Aaron will instantly give NYJ their best opportunity to go deep in the playoffs, while at the same time giving Aaron the best overall team in terms of talent that he's had in years. The best coaching he's had as well.
If, and it's beginning to look likely, Odell goes to NYJ and he's actually able to play for the season, they'll be the best team in that division, and it won't be particularly close. [Reply]
Originally Posted by AussieChiefsFan:
Acquiring Rodgers would immediately get the Jets the closest they've been to being a Super Bowl contender in 50 years.
If the trade goes through, Rodgers will want to prove that his lack of rings was the Packers fault for not providing him with good enough teams throughout his career.
I stand by what I said. He's inconsistent, careless w football, and viewed as a terrible leader (at least that last season), and extremely expensive. This is not a prime Aaron Rodgers anymore.
Maybe I'm wrong which is possible but Im stick to my opinion I don't think he will do much there. He will manage the game and not cost them it like say Zach Wilson but that's about it. [Reply]
Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy:
I stand by what I said. He's inconsistent, careless w football, and viewed as a terrible leader (at least that last season), and extremely expensive. This is not a prime Aaron Rodgers anymore.
Maybe I'm wrong which is possible but Im stick to my opinion I don't think he will do much there. He will manage the game and not cost them it like say Zach Wilson but that's about it.
If the plan was to make him their franchise guy then 100% those issues around leadership etc would be a major concern. But I think it's pretty clear both the Jets and Rodgers aren't expecting more than a year or two, and would be more than happy with one Super Bowl victory (hell even just an appearance probably) similar to what Manning did in Denver.
The hype of being Super Bowl contenders alone I think should create some decent chemistry between Rodgers and the team.
If Rodgers is driven - whether out of spite or whatever - and has a great team around him he can defs still get it done. He won back to back MVPs very recently. [Reply]
Originally Posted by AussieChiefsFan:
If the plan was to make him their franchise guy then 100% those issues around leadership etc would be a major concern. But I think it's pretty clear both the Jets and Rodgers aren't expecting more than a year or two, and would be more than happy with one Super Bowl victory (hell even just an appearance probably) similar to what Manning did in Denver.
The hype of being Super Bowl contenders alone I think should create some decent chemistry between Rodgers and the team.
If Rodgers is driven - whether out of spite or whatever - and has a great team around him he can defs still get it done. He won back to back MVPs very recently.
All those MVP seasons and Eli Manning has more SBs [Reply]
This is going to be another one of those things where they go out and mortgage their future for an all-star team and get Rodgers, and probably OBJ, and build this offense that should be unstoppable on paper and then they go like 9-8 and nobody can figure out why. [Reply]
Wouldn't it be better for the Jets to just tank this year (they are used to it) and get one of the top tier QB's coming out next year?? They keep all their picks and can build a decent team this year and then get Caleb Williams from USC or Drake Maye from UNC next year. They get Rodgers for 1 maybe 2 years and then have to pay him and try to keep a team around him. How committed is he going to be when they wind up being 3rd in their division behind Miami and Buffalo.
The Jets sell out for 1 year to maybe get to the AFC Championship game to lose to the Chiefs. Where are the Jets as a team next year? They certainly can't go grab a top tier QB in the draft. They don't have the picks to move up really and their record wont be close to top 10. Where are they in 2 years when Rodgers goes on his darkness retreat and decides to retire. Right back to nothing at QB and sitting waiting for a A+++ type QB to come out again.
I guess this is what desperate franchises do when they haven't won anything since the late 60's [Reply]
Originally Posted by Barret:
Wouldn't it be better for the Jets to just tank this year (they are used to it) and get one of the top tier QB's coming out next year?? They keep all their picks and can build a decent team this year and then get Caleb Williams from USC or Drake Maye from UNC next year. They get Rodgers for 1 maybe 2 years and then have to pay him and try to keep a team around him. How committed is he going to be when they wind up being 3rd in their division behind Miami and Buffalo.
The Jets sell out for 1 year to maybe get to the AFC Championship game to lose to the Chiefs. Where are the Jets as a team next year? They certainly can't go grab a top tier QB in the draft. They don't have the picks to move up really and their record wont be close to top 10. Where are they in 2 years when Rodgers goes on his darkness retreat and decides to retire. Right back to nothing at QB and sitting waiting for a A+++ type QB to come out again.
I guess this is what desperate franchises do when they haven't won anything since the late 60's
If I was a jets fan, this would be my thinking as well. I'd try to trade back and get an extra first, even if it gave up one of the 2nd round pics. Then I'd make my QB move next year. Rogers isn't worth a first round pic for one or even maybe two years. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
Once again, do you think if any team that treated it's future HOF QB the way the Packers have, it would go well?
Lets not act like Rodgers isn't just as much a part of the issue as the ownership of the Packers.
Oh poor mistreated $50MM per year Aaron Rodgers who blames every loss on other players while throwing INT's or not making simple plays to keep the chains moving. Give me a break dude the guy is a cancer. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Barret:
Wouldn't it be better for the Jets to just tank this year (they are used to it) and get one of the top tier QB's coming out next year?? They keep all their picks and can build a decent team this year and then get Caleb Williams from USC or Drake Maye from UNC next year. They get Rodgers for 1 maybe 2 years and then have to pay him and try to keep a team around him. How committed is he going to be when they wind up being 3rd in their division behind Miami and Buffalo.
The Jets sell out for 1 year to maybe get to the AFC Championship game to lose to the Chiefs. Where are the Jets as a team next year? They certainly can't go grab a top tier QB in the draft. They don't have the picks to move up really and their record wont be close to top 10. Where are they in 2 years when Rodgers goes on his darkness retreat and decides to retire. Right back to nothing at QB and sitting waiting for a A+++ type QB to come out again.
I guess this is what desperate franchises do when they haven't won anything since the late 60's
They have spent two top 5 picks on QB in just the last 5 years. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Barret:
Wouldn't it be better for the Jets to just tank this year (they are used to it) and get one of the top tier QB's coming out next year??
...
I guess this is what desperate franchises do when they haven't won anything since the late 60's
That defense is ready to win now. Plus, if you assume a natural progression of Breece Hall/Garrett Wilson and adding Allen Lazard, a good QB and some luck could get them far.
You touched on it at the end here, but that franchise is ass. Take a look at this:
They've got an all-time W/L record that's well below .500. Their all-time postseason W/L is 12-13. They've only won their division 4 times in 60 years. They've only won 1 Super Bowl (back in 1968). They haven't won a playoff game since 2010. [Reply]