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It’s almost anniversary when the Jets flew the legendary Packers quarterback to Cleveland and crammed him into a tiny interview room at the Browns’ stadium to introduce him as their next quarterback before a preseason game.
“This is unique,” said Brett Favre on that day, August 7, 2008.
That marriage worked until it stopped working. The Jets started his 2008 season with his 8-3 record, Favre suffered an injury (but played through it), and in his last five games he lost four and coach Eric Mangini was fired. The Packers wanted to trade Favre—the Jets conditionally he only gave up his 39-year-old fourth-round pick—for whom they were waiting in the wing:
Aaron Rodgers, 25 years old.
Fifteen years later, we see the legendary 39-year-old Packers quarterback (Rogers, four-time MVP, then Super Bowl and 10-time Pro Bowl selection) presumably making way for the younger quarterbacks waiting in the wings. (Jordan Love) … the Jets are number one.
Rodgers says he hasn’t made any decisions about whether he’ll play in 2023 or whether he wants to play in Green Bay, but the Jets are desperately seeking quarterback upgrades so hopefully they’ll somehow Expect to be involved in a trade. Discuss whether the Packers would seriously consider moving him.
“Until I decide for myself what I want to move forward with, every deal is speculation,” Rogers said on Tuesday’s The Pat McAfee Show.
But what if Rodgers continues to play and becomes available? Expect the Jets to put up an intense chase. what would that look like?
Here’s everything you need to consider about Rodgers and the Jets.
Will the Packers actually trade him?
athleticMatt Schneidman of Covering the Packers wrote of Rodgers on Tuesday: The Packers still believe Rodgers will give them a chance to win. Whether it’s an endorsement of Rodgers or an indictment of love remains unclear.If the Packers win his second Super Bowl with Rodgers, whatever cap hell the Packers end up in, that It will be worth it.
But Rodgers seemed ready for the possibility of playing for another team when he spoke with McAfee on Tuesday.
“If they feel it’s in the team’s best interest to move forward, so be it,” he said. “Again, it doesn’t make me angry or make me feel like a victim. I have no animosity towards the team. I love my organization, I love my city, I love my community.” … I love so much what’s going on in Green Bay, and I want it to end there.
At age 39, Rodgers is still likely to make a big trade return after having his worst season in a while. What’s more, the Packers were able to get a good deal out of his $110 million remaining in the contract extension he signed last offseason, with the quarterback (Love) still on a rookie deal. I was able to leave room for a financial breather while rolling in.
Deeper
Packers’ mailbags: Should they go for Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love? Why hasn’t coaching changed?
What does it take to get Rogers?
Here are some notable recent quarterback trade returns:
• The Falcons traded Matt Ryan, 37, to the Colts for a third-round pick.
• The Seahawks trade Russell Wilson, 34, and a fourth-round pick to the Broncos for two first-round picks, two second-round picks, one fifth-round pick, and three players (QB Drew Locke, DL Shelby Harris, TE Noah Fant). .
• The Texans traded Deshawn Watson, 27, and a sixth-round pick to the Browns for three first-round picks, one third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks.
• The Colts traded Carson Wentz (30) and a second-round pick to the Commanders for one second-round pick and two third-round picks.
• In 2021, the Lions traded Matthew Stafford (then 33) to the Rams for two first-round and one third-round picks, plus QB Jared Goff.
Based on that criteria, it would be surprising if Rodgers traded for less than or more than multiple first-round picks. However, the acquisition team would be wise to condition the trade in case Rodgers retires after 2023.
Are the Jets willing to trade that much? By all accounts, owner Woody Johnson is willing to upgrade at quarterback and do whatever it takes to get the Jets back in the playoffs. The impact on sales must pique Johnson’s interest.
Impact of salary cap
Rodgers has a complicated deal — over-the-cap has a helpful explanation — but the important part for the Jets is that after June 1st (to save Green Bay money) It means that trades are more likely to be made and they are more likely to inherit. In 2023 he hit $15.8 million and in 2024 he hit $32.5 million.
The OTC predicts the Jets are over the cap, but they are either restructuring their contracts (CJ Mosley, John Franklin-Myers) or cutting players to save money (Cory Davis, Carl Lawson, Braxton Berrios). , Jordan Whitehead), you can get below that in no time.
How long does Rogers actually stay in the tank?
Rogers’ skills are on the decline, which is understandable at this point in his career. He won his MVP in 2020 and his 2021, but in 2022, he threw for the fewest yards (3,695) at least in a season in which he played 15 games. He also threw the most interceptions (12) since his first year as a starter in 2008.
In one of the worst pass defenses of the season in Week 18 against the Lions, Rodgers had only 205 yards and one touchdown. The Packers lost him 20-16 and he finished the season 8-9.
The Football Outsiders ranked Rodgers 21st among QBs in DVOA (defensive adjustment to average). He also ranked 25th in EPA (expected extra points) per dropback, just ahead of Jets quarterback Mike White (26th), according to TruMedia.
He also dealt with a broken thumb and rib and knee injuries during the season.
Aaron Rodgers and Zach Wilson got to chat when the Jets and Packers held joint practice in 2021. (Matt Ludtke/Associated Press)
Why Rodgers makes sense for the Jets
The Jets are feeling like quarterbacks, revamping their offensive line and staying clear of the competition. And Rodgers, even if he’s on the decline, would be better than any quarterback the Jets have had in a long time.His star power has the potential to draw other players to the Jets. It’s hidden.
Rogers also has a close relationship with Zach Wilson. Wilson is learning away from Rodgers for a year or two, which means it wouldn’t be the worst if the Jets don’t part ways with him this offseason.
Wilson is “very talented,” Rogers told McAfee. “I think a little humility is good for all of us at different times in our careers. I hope he breaks down a lot of groundwork for the league and he can play on time.I think he has enough talent to have a long career in the league.”
Would Rodgers actually want to go to the Jets?
The Jets have every intention of participating in those discussions if Rogers becomes available. I have.
“I want to be part of a team that wins championships,” Rodgers said Tuesday.
Does Rodgers see the Jets as Super Bowl contenders? Certainly appealing. The Jets have a legitimate number 1 wide his receiver (Garrett Wilson), he’s one of the best defenses in the NFL, and an impressive core of young talent.
However, if Rogers takes a closer look, he may notice that the armor has many cracks.
By the end of 2022, the chaotic offensive line may need to be completely reworked. The only rocks to return as starters are Laken Tomlinson and Alija Vera Tucker.
Rodgers highlighted Garrett Wilson and running back Brees Hall when talking about Zach Wilson, but Hall won’t look like the same player anytime soon after returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the fall. The other wide receivers expected to return (Elijah Moore, Denzel Mims) have had poor seasons. And on defense, the Jets have holes in their linebackers and safety, and may have to part ways with Lawson or Mosley for cap reasons.
Deeper
Jets offseason 10-step plan: trade for Derek Carr, hire the right offensive coordinator
Additionally, the Jets are having trouble hiring an offensive coordinator to replace Mike Ruffler. Saleh has a long list of candidates who have already spoken or are planning to do so, but none look like the frontrunners. In the league, any team that hires Nathaniel Hackett is believed to be a good fit to acquire Rogers due to his close relationship with him. Although they’ve worked together, it’s unclear if Hackett intends to return to coaching anytime soon after a disastrous 15-game stint as head coach of the Broncos. bottom.
It also doesn’t help when there is a perception that Saleh and his staff could be fired if the Jets don’t make it to the playoffs in 2023.
The Jets’ best hopes for acquiring Rodgers are to assemble an attractive offensive staff, modify the offensive line, and provide a roster that gives Rodgers a reason to commit to the team for at least a year, ideally a year or more. is to nurture.
The Jets may decide that waiting for Rodgers is too risky. Instead, they could pursue Derek Carr, the Raiders’ quarterback who could be acquired as soon as the Super Bowl ended.
Rogers’ other competition
One more factor: The Jets won’t be the only team eyeing Rodgers. ESPN reported that the Packers have no intention of trading him within his NFC.
If that’s true, these teams might make sense as Rogers contenders:
• Raiders: Reunited with wide receiver Davante Adams.
• Dolphin: Best supporting cast on this list.
• Patriots: They don’t have a better overall roster than the Jets, but they do have top-level defense and a better offensive line, Bill Belichick.
• Titans: Derrick Henry, good coaching and solid defense — despite a serious lack of pass catchers.
• Colts: The team is a mess, but has some elements on offense and defense.
• Ravens: If transferred from Lamar Jackson.
The Giants, Buccaneers, Saints, Panthers and 49ers all make varying degrees of sense as potential destinations if the Packers trade within the NFC.
(Top photo: John Fisher/Getty Images)
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