FLORHAM PARK — Walking into the press conference room at 1 Jets Drive, New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas knew that a majority of the questions facing him wouldn’t be centered around the 2023 NFL Draft that kicks off on Thursday.
That’s what happens when you trade for one of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL History.
“A long time in the making,” Douglas told reporters. “There are still some I’s and T’s to be crossed to ultimately finalize everything…we feel it’s a historic trade for this franchise.”
During the annual pre-draft press conference with reporters, usually conversations stem from where the team could go in the draft or if there are any lingering contract discussions going on. With Aaron Rodgers now expected to be in the fold following the blockbuster trade with the Packers, expectations for the Jets have risen to new heights.
“Aaron’s one of the best quarterbacks to ever play this game. So to have an opportunity to have a player of his caliber, you’re always going to look into it and how it fits our culture,” Douglas explained.
The excitement in Florham Park had grown right as the 2022-23 season expired. With the Jets coming off a disappointing 7-10 mark, the plan from the beginning was to bring in a top quarterback to end a 12-year playoff drought. That fever pitch only grew when Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee show that his intention was to leave Green Bay and play for the New York Jets in 2023. From there, it was up to Douglas and Packers GM, Brian Gutekunst to agree on a deal.
But the idea of an all-time great even wanting to come to Florham Park is a far cry from the Sam Darnolds, Ryan Fitzpatricks, and Chad Penningtons of the franchise’s past. To Douglas, the fact that Rodgers even wanted to come to New York was because of the culture that has been put in place with Robert Saleh’s staff.
“It’s a testament to Robert and his staff and what he’s been able to implement with our players here. And so we’re just excited to add someone of Aaron’s caliber here.”
While Douglas and assistant general manager Rex Hogan remained steadfast in focusing on the current status of the Jets, there are still plenty of questions that surround Rodgers and his future in the NFL. During the same Pat McAfee show in which he explained his intentions, the four-time NFL MVP also stated that he was heavily considering retirement after the 2022-23 regular season. With New York giving up high draft capital in 2024 to land the starting quarterback, Douglas did not commit to Rodgers giving the team assurances that he would play past the 2023-24 season.
Even more of a risk is the fact that Rodgers is coming off a down year at the age of 39 years old. While his touchdown to interception ratio (26:12) was still among the NFL’s best, it was a far cry from the back-to-back MVP awards he had won just in the last few years prior.
“He’s not far removed from back-to-back MVPs,” Douglas added. “He still didn’t maybe play at 100% throughout the year but still performed at a high level. Obviously, it’s an adjustment when you’re somewhere for 18 years, but we feel the people we have in place, he can be comfortable.”
Part of the reason for bringing Rodgers into the fold is the fact the Jets hired his former offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackett, as well as former Packers receiver Allen Lazard. New York is counting on that familiarity to help early in the season with an older quarterback, even if Douglas did not confirm if Rodgers would partake in offseason activities.
In the end, though, the Jets have made a major swing for a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback. Anything less than a Super Bowl championship won’t do for a starving fanbase looking for a glimmer of hope when the games actually begin.
But Douglas and the franchise know that it takes time to break a player in. And with just over five months before the 2023 regular season kicks off, it’s all about building the team the right way to get to that point.
“Obviously adding a player of this caliber is a big thing but ultimately we still have a lot of work to do to get to where we need to go. You can feel a lot of positive energy in the building.”
