Jets inquire about Rodgers with Pack
The Jets have made inquiries to the Packers regarding Aaron Rodgers’ availability, according to ESPN, even as Rodgers has said he will contemplate his playing future during a four-day/four-night darkness retreat.
The Jets have indicated that they are in the market for a veteran quarterback and have hired Nathaniel Hackett, who was Rodgers’ former offensive coordinator, to a similar position.
Rodgers, 39, said on “The Pat McAfee Show” last week that the retreat would provide “a pretty cool opportunity to do a little self-reflection in some isolation. And then after that I feel like I’ll be a lot closer to a final, final decision.”
A four-time NFL MVP who has spent his 18-season career with the Packers, Rodgers has not made a decision on whether he will play in 2023, be it in Green Bay or with another team, amid reports that he could be traded.
The Jets are in the market for a quarterback after Zach Wilson’s continued struggles. The 2021 No. 2 overall pick has completed 55.2% of his passes in 22 starts, with 15 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, in two seasons. The Jets have said they are committed to developing Wilson behind a veteran quarterback.
Jets owner Woody Johnson said after the season that he believed adding a proven quarterback would be the “missing piece” to help end the Jets’ 12-season playoff drought.
Johnson, in a red-carpet interview with ESPN before the NFL Honors awards show Thursday, reiterated the Jets’ desire to acquire a veteran quarterback. Johnson said the Jets’ “weakness was in the quarterback position” but was careful not to mention Rodgers by name to avoid tampering charges.
When asked directly about Rodgers, he said, “I can’t really talk about him because he’s a member of another team, but everybody recognizes talent when they see it.”
Hackett, who was fired as the Broncos’ coach during his first season in the job, was the Packers’ offensive coordinator for three seasons (2019-21). Rodgers said in a recent interview with “The Pat McAfee Show” that he “really bonded” with Hackett during his time with him.
Rodgers is due $59.5 million in guaranteed money this year and another $49.25 million in 2024. Of the guaranteed money owed to Rodgers in 2023, $58.3 million of it is structured as an option bonus. The window to exercise that option is from the first day of the new league year (March 15) until one day before the Packers’ regular-season opener.
By including that option bonus in Rodgers’ contract, both sides have more than enough time to find a trade partner. Once the option is exercised, Rodgers’ cap number for 2023 would be $31,623,570. Rodgers said recently on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he would be willing to adjust his contract if he decided to play next season.