JETS ‘STAY TUNED’ TO RODGERS’ CHANNEL
While Aaron Rodgers continues to keep the NFL world in darkness, even he knows there’s a “time limit.”
During an interview Saturday with former Jets wide receiver and current I Am Athlete host Brandon Marshall at a flag football charity event, Rodgers said “it won’t be long” until he decides whether to stay with the Packers, retire or request a trade.
“It is always interesting meeting important figures in the sport,” Rodgers said about meeting with Jets brass last week. “It is always interesting, it’s all I’m giving you. That’s all I’m giving you.”
“Stay tuned,” it won’t be long. There’s a time limit for all of this.”
Last Tuesday, with the Packers’ blessing, Jets owner Woody Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas, coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett flew to California to meet with Rodgers, hoping to convince the four-time MVP to ask to be traded to Gang Green.
Rodgers recently went on a darkness retreat, hoping to sort out his future. But he has continued to say he will make a decision soon. With free agency and the legal negotiation window beginning at 4 p.m. today, the Jets need an answer sooner rather than later.
The Jets have already missed out on one potential option while waiting on Rodgers. Derek Carr officially signed a four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints, which includes $100 million in total guarantees.
Gang Green hosted Carr last month. Carr also met with the Jets at the NFL combine a few weeks ago. But when it was clear Rodgers was their top option, Carr decided to sign with the Saints instead.
The Jets will have options if Rodgers does decide to retire or return to the Packers. They could target free agent Jimmy Garoppolo, or go after Lamar Jackson. The Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson last week. If the Jets were to sign him to an offer sheet and the Ravens refused to match the offer, Baltimore would receive two first-round picks.
The Packers also need a decision on Rodgers’ future soon as it appears they’re ready to turn the franchise over to 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love. After waiting three seasons sitting behind Rodgers, Love needs to show the Packers something so the team can decided whether to pick up his fifth-year option by May 1.
In an interview with WBAY-TV in Green Bay, Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy hinted that a trade to the Jets was the likeliest option.
“It’s a situation where I think we wanted to help Aaron achieve what he wanted as well as the Packers,” Murphy said. “Hopefully, to create a situation where it’s a win for both sides.
“We are fortunate to have back-to-back Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks,” Murphy said. “It was very early in my tenure, so I remember it very well with Brett’s (Favre) situation. It kind of happens in our game, very few players play for only one team.”
JETS SIGN QUINCY
According to a league source, the Jets and linebacker Quincy Williams have agreed on a three-year, $18 million contract, which could max out to $21 million with incentives.
After two seasons with the Jaguars, Williams was claimed by the Jets off waivers. Since then, he s has been one of the more steady players on the Jets defense.
In 2021, he recorded 110 tackles, which was second to C.J. Mosley (158) and nine tackles for loss.
The Washington Commanders are keeping
around, thanks to the second-biggest contract for a defensive tackle behind only seven-time All-Pro Aaron Donald.
The Commanders agreed to terms with Payne on a four-year contract worth $90 million, with $60 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
Donald signed a contract last year with the Rams that paid him $95 million, with $65 million guaranteed.
Payne led Washington with a career-high 11 ½ sacks last season. The Commanders put the franchise tag worth $18.9 million on him last month in the hopes of working out a long-term agreement.
SCHEFFLER TAKES TPC
Scottie Scheffler took on the scary TPC Sawgrass as if he were playing alone. And by the time he got done with a masterful performance Sunday, that’s about how it looked.
Scheffler ran off five straight birdies in the middle of his round, built a six-shot lead and left all the drama to everyone else on his way to a 3-under 69 to win the richest prize on the PGA Tour by five shots.
The victory was worth $4.5 million and sent Scheffler back to No. 1 in the world for the second time this year. He now has six victories in his last 27 starts on the PGA Tour, including the four wins he had last year, culminated by his Masters title.
When he poured in a 20-foot par putt on the final hole, Scheffler had the largest margin of victory in The Players since Stephen Ames won by six in 2006.
“I got hot in the middle of the round and tried to put things away as quickly as I can,” Scheffler said. “Gosh, it’s fun.”
And then the celebration was on with his wife, parents, sister and 87-year-old grandmother, who kept pace with him for so much of the day.
That’s something the strongest field of the year couldn’t do.
Tyrrell Hatton birdied his last five holes for a 65, finishing when Scheffler was making the turn. Viktor Hovland (68) and Tom Hoge (70) were seven shots behind in a tie for third, each making nearly $1.5 million from the $25 million purse.