Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets-bound?
“I made it clear that my intention was to try and play for the New York Jets,” Rodgers said Wednesday as part of an extensive guest spot on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “But I’m still under contract with the Packers.”
The longtime Green Bay quarterback said the remaining hurdles are compensation as part of the trade package. But Rodgers made it clear Wednesday that he is ready to move on.
Rodgers also said that he went into his recent dark retreat “90 percent retired and 10 percent playing,” but was elated to learn that the Packers were exploring trade options.
He also mentioned the 2020 NFL Draft, when the Packers drafted their nominal replacement Jordan Love as the 26th overall pick.
“In 2020 they drafted Jordan to replace me,” Rogers said, “If I hadn’t won back-to-back MVPs this conversation would have happened a long time ago.”
Aaron Rodgers’ Split With The Packers Would Be Surprising
Even though the possibility of Rodgers leaving the Packers has been discussed extensively over the past few seasons, it is still shocking to consider.
Rodgers was drafted by the Packers in 2005 and in the following 18 seasons delivered some of the best quarterback play the NFL has seen, winning four league MVP awards.
There is some irony in the possible move. In 2008, the Jets traded for Brett Favre, giving Rodgers his shot at starting with the Packers.
The Jets were in dire need of an upgrade at quarterback, and Rodgers seemed to be a possibility from the start of the off-season. The Jets hired Nathaniel Hackett as their new offensive coordinator in what seemed like an attempt to lure Rodgers to New York. Hackett had been a favorite of Rodgers since Hackett’s time as the Packers’ offensive coordinator. The Jets received permission to meet with Rodgers in early March, and at the time it appeared that Rodgers would proceed.
If Rodgers joins the Jets, he will have a formidable defense and plenty of talented offensive weapons. New York will become a dangerous team with a top quarterback on the board. Rogers should generate a lot of excitement in a huge market in the New York market and a lot of attention everywhere.
Taking a quarterback for the Jets is a gamble that will turn 40 this season. But for a franchise that hasn’t been to a Super Bowl since 1968, when Joe Namath won in Super Bowl III, it’s worth finding out if it clicks.
In Green Bay, Jordan Love will be stepping into a huge space. He would be the third quarterback to start regularly for the Packers in 30 years.
End of the annual Aaron Rodgers speculation
The relationship between the Packers and Rodgers seemed uneasy over the years.
There has been speculation about Rodgers’ future for several off-seasons. There was a twist in reports this off-season that said Rodgers was a “Darkness Retreat” And later will decide about his future.
Last year, Rodgers won his second MVP and later told the media that he had not made a decision about his future, adding that he was not afraid of retirement. A year ago, his status was in question until training camp. There were questions as to whether he would be traded, or retire to host “Jeopardy!”
The annual Rodgers drama resumes in 2023. Much of the focus this time was on a possible trade, although retirement was also an option. Rodgers’ numbers slumped last season without top receiver Davante Adams, the Packers didn’t make the playoffs, and with Rodgers turning 40 in December (and former first-round draft pick Love waiting for a shot), it looks like Had been that change can happen eventually happens.
Rodgers was on the other end of years of speculation when he was Favre’s backup and that Favre would flirt with retirement after every season. Then, nearing the end of his Packers career, Rodgers was doing the same dance with his future.
Finally, the speculation looks like it has come to an end.
Rodgers has had a great run with Green Bay
Rodgers has one of the greatest runs any player has had with a franchise. A lot of energy was expended on the Packers making just one Super Bowl with Rodgers at quarterback, but his 18 years in Green Bay were much more than that.
Rodgers played quarterback at the highest level for most of his time with the Packers. He is only a four-time NFL MVP, one behind Peyton Manning’s record of five. His 2011 season, when the Packers went 15–1 and Rodgers set an NFL record with a 122.5 passer rating, is perhaps the greatest single season ever for a quarterback. Rodgers also had the second highest passer rating season ever in his 2020 MVP season with 121.5. The Packers went 147–75–1 in their regular season debut.
And Rodgers won the Super Bowl. At the end of the 2010 season, Green Bay went from a wild-card team to champions. The Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Rodgers was named the Super Bowl MVP.
There were exhilarating highs and plenty of lows, especially with several crushing playoff losses. There were seemingly endless offseason questions over the past few years as to whether Rodgers would come back.
The Packers have led a charmed life at quarterback since 1992, going from Favre to Rodgers. Now it is love’s turn.