'Good Morning Football' Panelists Predict Rodgers Resolution before Jackson Saga Ends
It was almost a clean sweep as four of the five television show hosts said what New York Jets’ fans want to hear.
On NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” the panel naturally spent time talking about quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson.
Each of the five personalities participated in the “Hook and Lateral” segment that posed the question, “Which situation gets resolved first: Aaron Rodgers & Jets OR Lamar Jackson & Ravens?”
Former 13-year NFL veteran Jason McCourty kicked off the debate by expressing optimism for the Rodgers trade.
“Aaron Rodgers gets resolved first, said McCourty, who played his last four seasons in the AFC East and retired after the 2021 campaign. “First day of the Draft we’re going to find out the trade is in, it’s a done deal and Aaron Rodgers will finally be a New York Jet. That’s it.”
Former NFL defensive back Jason McCourty on Super LIII Opening Night
John David Mercer - USA TODAY Sports
Fellow panelists Will Selva, Kyle Brandt and Kimmi Chex all sided with McCourty’s call.
“There’s a lot of pressure here on the Jets to get this done and they will by the Draft. We’ll be waiting for Lamar [Jackson],” said Selva, who regularly appears on the network.
NFL Network reporter Cameron Wolfe was the lone dissenter.
“I’m going to go with Lamar. I’m gonna have some hope here that the Odell Beckham Jr. signing sparks something. You got his guy,” said Wolfe. “Maybe we get a deal in the next week. They [the Ravens and Jackson] got to get back together. I’m speaking it into existence, we get a Lamar and Ravens deal done in the next week.”
Speaking of Beckham, the Ravens out-bid Gang Green for the free-agent receiver's services last week. The three-time Pro Bowler, who began his NFL career with the New York Giants, reportedly had an official visit scheduled with the Jets, but Baltimore’s offer convinced Beckham to change his travel plans.
While the Ravens hosted an introductory press conference for Beckham on April 13, most of the questions were about Jackson. The Ravens’ quarterback requested a trade last month and prefers to not play under a one-year franchise-tag contract.
Baltimore brass provided few answers to the uncertainty surrounding the Jackson saga, leading some to believe the stand-off may last into the summer.
“It’s gonna be Aaron Rodgers,” said Chex summing up the “Hook and Lateral” segment.
As for the supposedly-stalled Rodgers trade negotiations, Packers’ President Mark Murphy spoke to reporters on April 11 during a media opportunity aimed at promoting Green Bay’s annual Tailgate Tour through Wisconsin.
"I know Brian [Gutekunst] and [Jets' GM] Joe [Douglas] have been talking," said the tight-lipped Murphy.
Meanwhile, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter provided a hot take on his April 12 podcast.
"There has been, by my estimate, little if any contact between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets. So, the trade that everybody seems to be waiting to get done is not any closer to happening right now as the draft draws closer,” said Schefter.
Rodgers has publicly stated his desire to play for the Jets in 2023 and his 18-year marriage with the Packers seems irreparable.
The 39-year old Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, accounted for a 64.6 completion percentage while throwing for 26 touchdowns to 12 interceptions last year. Meanwhile, four Jets’ quarterbacks combined for a 56.98 completion percentage, 14 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions in 2022.
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