Report: Jets on ‘Brink’ of Trading for Rodgers

Optimism has grown within the Jets that they are going to acquire Aaron Rodgers from the Packers, according to ESPN.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Mar 9, 2023 8:51 AM EST

In this story:

GREEN BAY, Wis. – According to ESPN.com’s Dianna Russini, there’s “optimism” within the New York Jets that “they are on the brink” of acquiring Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The optimism existed before the Jets’ leadership – a group that included owner Woody Johnson, coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett – flew to California on Tuesday for face-to-face meetings with Rodgers.

That optimism has grown since the meeting, Russini reported.

Rodgers hasn’t even announced if he wants to play in 2023, though his willingness to spend a day with the Jets signals his interest in playing a 19th season.

And while the Packers, led by general manager Brian Gutekunst, have expressed only tepid interest in Rodgers returning for a 16th season as the starter, the Jets’ full-court press of Rodgers has to have the four-time MVP excited about a new opportunity to pursue a second Super Bowl ring.

“He’s a great player,” Gutekunst said at the Scouting Combine. “But until we have those conversations, I think all options are on the table right now. But we really need to have those conversations. We want what’s best for the Green Bay Packers, what’s best for Aaron. So, we’ll get to that once those conversations happen.”

That comment stood in the starkest of contrasts to what Gutekunst said a year earlier, when Rodgers’ football future was still an unknown.

“This is the MVP of the league and he makes this whole thing go. So, we’re disappointed that we didn’t finish it off the last two years but there’s no reason to think we can’t get right back there and knock on the door and get there. So, yeah, I think we’re full forward ahead.”

The Packers and Jets need answers soon. The unofficial start to free agency is Monday with the start of the league-year and the signing period open for business on Wednesday.

The Packers need to know where they stand on the salary cap and if they need to sign a veteran backup, and the Jets need to know whether they’ve got their quarterback or if it’s time to turn to a Plan C, such as Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Packers signed off on the Jets reaching out to Rodgers. Presumably, the parameters of a trade were agreed to before the Jets boarded Johnson’s jet on Tuesday. One league source thought the Packers would get a first-round pick for Rodgers.