No hurry or worry
Jets in no rush to finish Rodgers swap, remain confident it will get done
PHOENIX — While Jets fans may be freaking out over the prolonged trade talks with the Packers for Aaron Rodgers, the team’s brass is maintaining its cool … at least publicly.
Both Jets coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas said at the league meetings on Monday that there is no urgency to get a deal done for Rodgers.
“I’m not hitting the panic button,” Saleh said. “I’ve talked to you guys about it before. I worry about things I’ve got control over. That’s something I have zero control over, so I’m just going to focus my energy on the things that I do. It is what it is. I’m confident that things are going to work out. I’m a very positive person and optimistic so I’m confident that things will go the way we’re hoping, but at the same time it’s not going to eat at me.”
Douglas is the one trying to get a deal done with Packers GM Brian Gutekunst. The two are at the same resort this week for the meetings but Douglas said there are no formal talks planned. He said the two made some small talk when they saw each other here.
Prior to this week, the two teams have tried to hammer out a deal for the 39-year-old Rodgers. The sticking point seems to be the Jets’ first-round pick, which the Packers want in the deal and the Jets do not want to give up.
“There’s been some productive conversations,” Douglas said. “Obviously, we’re not where we need to be yet. I feel like we’re in a good place.”
Gutekunst met with a small group of reporters here, too. He said the Packers do not necessarily need a first-round pick to get the trade done and there is no timeline. He also said that “all options are on the table” when asked if Rodgers could play for the Packers again but admitted things are not trending in that direction.
The Jets brass, including Douglas, Saleh and owner Woody Johnson, visited Rodgers at his California home this month. Rodgers then said on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he intends to play for the Jets in 2023. But it does not seem like the Jets and Packers are close to a deal.
One of the issues is there is nothing to move the trade along right now. Neither side feels the need to compromise on a deal. That could change when the draft arrives next month. If the Packers want to get a pick this year for Rodgers, they are going to have to get a deal done before or during the draft, which begins April 27.
“There’s no hard deadline,” Douglas said. “There’s not a ton of urgency from our standpoint right now. But [I’m] still very optimistic.”
The Jets don’t necessarily need Rodgers for the spring program. It would be ideal, but Rodgers knows their system after working with new Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett for three seasons in Green Bay.
While Saleh did not comment specifically on Rodgers, he did acknowledge a veteran quarterback could catch up quickly if he already knows the scheme.
“If there’s great rapport with the coordinator, there’s really no urgency,” Saleh said. “If the quarterback knows the system, it’s just a matter of refining skills and all that stuff. There’s no hurry on our end.”
Saleh and Douglas both expressed optimism that a deal will get done eventually.
“I’m a positive thinker,” Saleh said. “I’m sure eventually they’ll figure something out.”
There was a thought that the Jets and Packers should have worked out a trade agreement before the Packers gave the Jets permission to speak to Rodgers. Douglas did not elaborate on why that did not occur.
“I think each deal is a little bit different in its own right,” Douglas said. “In certain trade talks, there have been times where we’ve had compensation agreed to. This one just played out different. I feel like every deal, every transaction, kind of has its own life. This one was just different.”
Douglas was asked if there is any point when he will start getting nervous if a deal is not done.
“I wouldn’t’ say I’d be nervous at any point,” Douglas said. “I feel like we have a good plan. We have a good process. We’re going to let this play out. Like I said from the beginning, I’m optimistic.”