Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets?
“I’ve made it clear that I intend to play for the New York Jets,” Rodgers said Wednesday at The Pat McAfee Show to a wide audience. “And at the moment I’m not delaying anything. That was the compensation that the Packers are trying to get for me.”
The longtime Green Bay defender also said he left for recent retreat in the dark “90 percent retired and 10 percent in game”, but it appeared the Packers were looking into trade options.
He also cited the 2020 NFL Draft, when the Packers selected his nominal replacement Jordan Love 26th overall, as a turning point.
“Jordan replaced me in 2020. Rogers said. “This conversation would have happened a lot sooner if I hadn’t won back-to-back MVPs.”
Rodgers said the Jets asked him about the players he’s played with over the years during their meeting last week. However, he denied a report saying he gave the Jets a list of players to sign, including Odell Beckham Jr.
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In January, the Jets hired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who coached Rodgers from 2019-21 at Green Bay, and Rodgers said it was a big factor in his decision.
“There are many reasons why the Jets are attractive. There is one coach who meant as much to me as any other coach I have ever had, and he turned out to be the coordinator there, ”Rogers said.
Aaron Rodgers’ breakup with the Packers would be stunning
Despite the fact that the possibility of Rodgers leaving the Packers has been actively discussed in the last few offseasons, it is still shocking.
Rodgers was drafted by the Packers in 2005 and produced some of the best quarterback play the NFL has ever seen over the next 18 seasons, including winning four league MVP awards.
There is some irony in the potential move. In 2008, the Jets traded for Brett Favre, giving Rodgers a chance to start with the Packers.
The Jets were in desperate need of a quarterback upgrade, and Rodgers seemed like a good fit from the start of the offseason. The Jets even hired Nathaniel Hackett as their new offensive coordinator in what appeared to be an attempt to lure Rogers to New York. Hackett has been a favorite of Rodgers since Hackett was the Packers’ offensive coordinator. The Jets were cleared to face Rodgers in early March, and at that point it seemed a foregone conclusion that Rodgers would move on.
If Rogers joins the Jets, he will have fantastic defense and a lot of talented offensive weapons. New York will be a dangerous team with the best quarterback on board. Rogers in the New York market should cause a stir in a huge market and attract attention everywhere.
It’s a risky game for the Jets to take on a quarterback who turns 40 this season. But for a franchise that hasn’t competed in the Super Bowl since 1968, when Joe Namath won Super Bowl III, it’s worth finding out if he’s snapping.
In Green Bay, Jordan Love would have a huge place. He will become the Packers’ third regular starting quarterback in 30 years.
End of Aaron Rodgers’ annual speculation
The relationship between the Packers and Rogers seemed rocky for years.
Speculation about Rodgers’ future continued for several offseasons. This offseason, Rodgers went to his dark retreat and then made a decision about his future.
Last year, Rogers became the second MVP in a row, and then told the media that he had not yet decided on his future, saying that he was not afraid of retirement. A year earlier, his status was in question right down to the fees. There were questions about whether he would be sold or retire to lead “Jeopardy!”
Rogers’ annual drama started again in 2023. This time, the focus was on a potential deal, although retirement was also an option. Rodgers’ numbers dipped last season without top wide receiver Davante Adams, the Packers missed the playoffs, and with Rodgers turning 40 in December (and former first-round pick Love waiting for his chance), it seemed that change can finally happen.
Rodgers was on the other end of the annual speculation when he was Favre’s understudy, with Favre flirting with retirement after each season. Then, toward the end of his Packers career, Rodgers did the same dance with his future.
Finally, speculation seems to have come to an end.
Rogers had a great time with Green Bay.
Rodgers had one of the best records of any player in the franchise. A lot of energy went into getting the Packers to just one Super Bowl with Rodgers at quarterback, but his 18 years in Green Bay were much longer.
Rodgers played quarterback at the highest possible level for most of his time with the Packers. He is the only four-time NFL MVP behind Peyton Manning’s five-time record. His 2011 season, when the Packers went 15-1 and Rodgers set an NFL record with a 122.5 passer rating, is arguably his best season for a quarterback. Rodgers also has the second-highest passer rating of all time, with 121.5 in the 2020 MVP season. The Packers went 147-75-1 at the start of the regular season.
And Rogers won the Super Bowl. At the end of the 2010 season, Green Bay went from wild card to champions. The Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Rodgers was named Super Bowl MVP.
There were exhilarating highs and many lows, especially after several crushing playoff losses. There have been seemingly endless offseasons in the past few years where we wondered if Rodgers would return.
The Packers have lived the magical life of a quarterback since 1992, going from Favre to Rodgers. Now it’s Love’s turn.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
