NFL Network Reporter Implies Aaron Rodgers is Missing Piece to Jets' Playoff Puzzle
Judy Battista suggests that the New York Jets are on the cusp of becoming a playoff-caliber team.
Should Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers land in New York, it could seal Gang Green’s fate.
Contributing to NFL Network’s Free Agency Frenzy coverage, Battista spoke highly of the Jets’ potential during her appearance.
“The Jets would have been a playoff team last year with anything close to consistent quarterback play, just average quarterback play would have gotten them to the playoffs last year,” said Battista, who is also a columnist for NFL.com. “You would expect that Aaron Rodgers, even as he approaches 40, can give them something far above just average quarterback play.”
The veteran NFL reporter, who was with the Miami Herald earlier in her career, seemed impressed by the foundation that the Jets have built under the direction of general manager Joe Douglas.
“It’s a talented roster with a lot of really good, young players,” said Battista of the team that Rodgers would be joining if he finally requests a trade from Green Bay.
Battista went on to suggest that a quarterback of Rodgers’ ability is a necessity for a Jets team with the aspiration of winning a division title.
“The AFC East has become extremely competitive. ... This is going to be a highly competitive division,” said Battista.
The Buffalo Bills have won the AFC East crown each of the past three seasons, but Rodgers’ arrival could ultimately disrupt that run.
“It puts them right up there, maybe a notch behind the Buffalo Bills,” said Battista of the Jets’ title prospects should they acquire Rodgers.
Accounting for a 64.6 completion percentage last season, Rodgers threw 542 passes for 3,695 yards and 26 touchdowns to 12 interceptions with the Packers.
Meanwhile, four different Jets quarterbacks combined for 14 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions and a 56.98 completion percentage during the 2022 campaign.
As the Rodgers Watch crawled along on Tuesday afternoon, ESPNs Dianna Russini delivered an update on the proceedings by tweeting, “Aaron Rodgers has provided the NY Jets with a wish-list of free agents he would like them to target and acquire, per sources.”
Russini said the “wish-list” includes Packers’ free agent receiver Allen Lazard, who was named as a possible Jets’ target earlier in the day by ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
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