There is hope that quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be a member of the New York Jets by Friday evening. The Jets and Green Bay Packers have re-opened talks ahead of the start of the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday. The two sides have strong feelings about fair compensation for the deal. A Packers insider recently said the Packers’ only realistic option is to trade Rodgers this offseason.
The Jets have worries about the long-term viability of getting a 39-year-old Rodgers. Rodgers said he felt he was 90 percent retired this offseason. Understandably, the Jets don’t want to give up too much value, like a first-round pick or two second-round picks for a one-year loaner. But then again, having Rodgers on the team makes them an immediate Super Bowl contender. This late into the offseason, the Jets don’t have many options to find at quarterback instead of Rodgers.
The Green Bay Packers have moved on at quarterback
In the Midwest, the Packers turned the keys over to Jordan Love following Rodgers’ public intention to play for the Jets. The team is building around Love’s skillset this offseason. Rodgers’ salary of $58.3 million would be insane if the Packers were to make the 2020 and 2021 NFL MVP a backup to Love next season.
Rob Demovsky and Rich Cimini of ESPN recently published a piece on when the Rodgers trade is expected to go through. Demovsky said the Packers management must find a trade partner this offseason, either with the Jets or another team:
“That is the $58.3 million question for the Packers. They wouldn’t have to pay that bonus, which is guaranteed, until Week 1 of the regular season, so they would have time to try to find another taker for Rodgers. But if not, they would be forced to pay Rodgers that money — plus his $1.165 million base salary — whether they would play him or not.
And paying someone $60 million to not play would be football operation malpractice. The only way out would be if Rodgers retired, and at that point, why would he walk away? Can you imagine the outcry among Packers fans if Jordan Love struggles early and they’re paying Rodgers not to play?”
Cimini thinks the Jets are short of options as well. Potential trades for Ryan Tannehill and Lamar Jackson are either unappealing or too costly. Cimini said the quarterback situation for the Jets this offseason is “Rodgers or bust.”
The Jets took the full plunge for Rodgers when they were passive in talks with free agent Derek Carr this offseason. The Jets liked Carr but held out on any meaningful negotiations until they heard from Rodgers. There weren’t any great quarterback options after Carr signed with the New Orleans Saints.
Both sides need to get this deal done soon. The Packers can’t bring Rodgers back to the Green Bay sideline this season. The Jets need the quarterback they built the offense around this offseason. We’ll see if there’s more compromise here during draft week.
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