NEW YORK — The New York Jets are reportedly trying their luck with another future Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame quarterback, and this one, ironically, is a bit older than the last.
Super Bowl quarterback and MVP Aaron Rodgers confirmed long-standing rumors on the show The Pat McAfee Showwhere he has a regular (sometimes controversial) segment on Wednesday.
“I made it clear that my intention was to play for the New York Jets,” Rodgers said.
No trade was officially announced, and Rodgers said that terms were still being finalized. He confirmed his intent at virtually the same time the Jets tweeted googly eyes on The Pat McAfee Show.
It’s almost like they know, huh? Rodgers indicated as much, saying in Wednesday’s update, though still characteristically vague, that the decision had been made days ago. Now it’s about solving the compensation.
Even for Rodgers, who has been notoriously unpredictable when it comes to NFL decision-making, his statements in The Pat McAfee Show combined with the Jets tweet they leave little doubt.
Rodgers described the apparent move as a fitting transition to the “next chapter” of his life, when asked whether to play in New York or retire, as had also been rumored for most of the past year.
4 p.m. marks the official start of NFL free agency, and while Rodgers isn’t a free agent, his future remains murky, mainly because he is Rodgers. The 39-year-old spent time ruminating in an obscure retreat last month, saying “stay tuned” when repeatedly asked about his meeting with Jets owner Woody Johnson and his possible future in New York. York.
Lately, however, all signs point to the arrival of the Big Apple. The Jets had made it clear they were looking, and while the news isn’t official yet, the other top two free agent quarterbacks, Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo, are reportedly off the board. Then came Rodgers’ reported “wish list” of players he supposedly wanted to accompany on the trip.
The latest shoe to drop was reportedly the Jets making a deal with one of Rodgers’ most trusted and favorite receivers, Allen Lazard. Lazard was one of three Packers on Rodgers’ wish list.
This happened on Wednesday afternoon.
Supposedly, he also wants former Giants-turned-Browns-turned-Rams standout Odell Beckham Jr.
Even coming off another serious knee injury, fans are unlikely to be complaining about his return to New York, except, of course, those in blue. No free agency deal can be officially announced until 4 pm ET. Follow all the frenzy here.
The Jets have been searching for their franchise quarterback since Joe Namath won his only Super Bowl in 1969. They have used three top-5 picks in the draft since 2009: Mark Sanchez, Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson, and second-string picks. round on Christian Hackenberg (yikes) and Geno Smith, who recently bounced back in Seattle, in that same time.
They went 90-136 in that span and posted just three seasons over .500 in that span.
Brett Favre was already 38 years old when he signed with Gang Green in 2008. He didn’t last there past one season, moving to the Minnesota Vikings for the next two, where he performed much better, before retiring in 2010.
Rodgers earned MVP honors with the Packers in 2020 and 2021, but is coming off a 2022 season in which he had his lowest passer rating as a starter and threw 12 interceptions, his highest total since 2008. The Packers finished 8-9. and they missed the playoffs. to end a streak of three consecutive NFC North titles.
His imminent arrival would add more fire to an AFC Eastern Conference that has seen intense change since the departure of Tom Brady in New England, the rise of Josh Allen in Buffalo and the rise of Tua Tagovailoa, along with the acquisitions of Tyreek Hill and Tyreek Hill from his team. Jaylen Waddle via draft.
