In another hopeful sign for Jets fans, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers appeared to indicate that a move to New York could be coming in the near future.
The four-time MVP was asked by former Jets receiver Brandon Marshall about his rumored move to New York on a recent podcast, and responded by telling the retired NFL star: ‘Stay tuned.’
When Marshall pressed for more information, the 39-year-old Rodgers responded by saying ‘that’s all I’m giving you,’ before adding ‘there’s a time limit for all this.’
That ‘time limit’ Rodgers referred to could be the NFL’s Wednesday deadline for all teams to be under the league’s $224.8 million salary cap.
The Jets cleared some cap space on Saturday by renegotiating several existing contracts with players, ostensibly in an effort to clear room for Rodgers’ $31 million cap figure for the 2023 season. In total, the Jets cleared a reported $15.1 million in cap space by restricting the deals of left guard Laken Tomlinson, cornerback D.J. Reed, and tight end Tyler Conklin.
In another hopeful sign for Jets fans, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers appeared to indicate that a move to New York could be coming in the near future
Rodgers was asked by former Jets receiver Brandon Marshall about his rumored move to New York on a recent podcast, and responded by telling the retired NFL star: ‘Stay tuned’
Marshall and Rodgers were speaking at the RX Flag Football Charity Event in Laguna Beach, California on the former’s podcast, I Am Athlete.
Owner Woody Johnson and front office staff spoke with the Green Bay Packers quarterback in his native California this week, and while there was optimism before the trip that they could convince Rodgers to embrace a move to New York, the Jets are now more confident following the meeting.
On Twitter, ESPN’s Dianna Russini explained that ‘Johnson left the meeting excited and satisfied about the potential match.’
When asked by Marshall about the meeting, the tight-lipped Rodgers said ‘it’s always interesting meeting important figures in the sport,’ but didn’t offer much more.
Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy confirmed that the team granted the Jets permission to talk with Rodgers and would honor a trade request if he makes one.
Murphy made those comments Friday while speaking during a broadcast of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association girls basketball championships that aired on Green Bay television station WCWF.
‘We’re really hopeful that we can reach a resolution that works not only for Aaron but for us,’ Murphy said.
The Jets restructured the contracts of three different players, including Laken Tomlinson
Standout cornerback D.J Reed also had his contract restructured after one season in New York
Tight end Tyler Conklin rounded out the trio of starters to get restructured contracts Saturday
Rodgers has said since the end of the season that he’s still deciding whether to return to the Packers, request a trade or retire. Rodgers also has noted the possibility the Packers might want to move on and hand the starting quarterback job to 2020 first-round draft pick Jordan Love.
The Jets have already made one major move seemingly aimed at enticing Rodgers to request a trade to New York by hiring his former offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett.
Another move could be in the works, according to NFL reporter Tyler Dunne, who says the Jets are one of four teams interested in former Packers running back Jamaal Williams.
Jets owner Woody Johnson (right), general manager Joe Douglas (left), head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett flew to California on Tuesday to with Rodgers, ESPN reported earlier in the week
Rodgers has not made any career decisions since emerging from a four-day darkness retreat in the Oregon wilderness, where he was expected to contemplate his next move, be it retirement, forcing a trade, or another season in Green Bay.
The Jets appear motivated to make a deal after missing out on free agent quarterback Derek Carr, who agreed to a four-year, $150 million contract with the New Orleans Saints on Monday. The former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback had been considered a viable option for the Jets, who are rumored to be interested in replacing struggling starter Zach Wilson with a more experienced veteran.
Meanwhile, Jets players have seemingly forgotten all about Wilson as they took to social media to beg Rodgers to come to New York.
Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner and running back Breece Hall didn’t make the trip out west, but they did make their sales pitches on social media.
Gardner directly mentioned Rodgers on Twitter, telling him: ‘I promise if you become a Jet, I won’t pick you off in practice’ and promising to burn the cheesehead hat that he wore in Green Bay last season when the Jets caused a 27-10 upset of the Packers at Lambeau Field.
Hall, similarly, sounded excited at the prospect of playing with Rodgers.
‘Don’t mind me…Just manifesting @Aaron Rodgers,’ the 21-year-old running back tweeted.
Jets CB Sauce Gardner & RB Breece Hall are pitching for Aaron Rodgers to move to New York
The declining Packers fell to 8-9 last season, and appear in need of a rebuild that could be helped by trading Rodgers and his remaining salary.
Rodgers has $108.8 million remaining on his current contract, which runs through 2026, although that season and 2025 are considered ‘dummy’ years which are only on the books for salary cap purposes.
His deal is fully guaranteed for $59.5 million this season, most of which comes in the form of a bonus before the start of the regular season, according to ESPN.
But the Jets wouldn’t necessarily be hurting for cap space if they acquired him, because Rodgers’ bonus was prorated over his ongoing three-year contract. In total, he would count for $15.8 million against his team’s salary cap in 2023 and $32.5 million for 2024, according to ESPN.
The Packers, meanwhile, would still carry $40.3 million from Rodgers’ 2023 salary on their books in the event he does get traded. That’s a whopping 18 percent of the $224.8 million NFL salary cap for this year.
The Jets are coming off a 7-10 season, in which they boasted the fifth-ranked defense, as well as the offensive and defensive Rookies of the Year in receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner.
The biggest areas of concern for coach Robert Saleh’s team were along the offensive line and at quarterback, where Zach Wilson finished 34th in the NFL with a dismal 72.8 quarterback rating.
Fourth-year quarterback Mike White played well at times, but is also entering free agency and it’s unclear if he’ll return.
Mike White (left) filled in for the Jets last season when Zach Wilson dropped down the order
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
