The New York Jets may have missed out on Derek Carr, but they seem determined to not follow that up by missing on the biggest fish of the 2023 off-season pond.
Dianna Russini of ESPN reported that a large contingent of New York Jets front office executives is traveling out to visit with Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. The list of executives includes Jets’ owner Woody Johnson, Jets coach Robert Saleh, and Nathaniel Hackett, as well as general manager Joe Douglas.
The four-time MVP went on a darkness retreat late in February to decide his future playing plans and is expected to bring a decision back to the Packers within the coming days. While reporters like Rich Eisen have heard that Green Bay is “hoping Rodgers wants to play elsewhere” the quarterback has not made a decision on where he would like to play next season.
Rodgers is set to make just over $59 million in his 2023 contract which is part of a three-year, $150 deal he signed last offseason. As a player who is still under contract with a current team, the Jets would need permission from the Packers to speak with Rodgers but that permission has reportedly been granted.
The former Cal product has also said he’d be open to restructuring his contract to make it easier for either the Packers or another team to bring him in. Rodgers threw for over 3,600 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2022 but threw the most interceptions (12) since his 2010 season when he won Super Bowl XLV.
The Jets have been in the market for a top veteran quarterback to end a decade-long playoff drought. The team initially was interested in former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, but consistently maintained that Rodgers would be their top target. New York also has an advantage in coaching with Nathaniel Hackett reportedly having a strong relationship with the four-time MVP.
Now Carr is with the Saints, and the Jets are in a very difficult position. If the team can’t get Rodgers, it would not only dampen the team’s expectations next season but would also upset an already frustrated fanbase who had expected a major change at quarterback to start the 2023 off-season. Part of the unease coming from fans of Gang Green was that there was unease surrounding if Rodgers would even be interested in playing in New York.
It appears that the Packers quarterback is more than up for the challenge though.
And they have just the right guy in mind.
