It sounds like the New York Jets are torn between signing free-agent quarterback Derek Carr and waiting to learn about the future of Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers.
Per Andrew Crane of the New York Post, ESPN NFL reporter Jeff Darlington said during Monday’s edition of the “Get Up” program that Carr’s meeting with the Jets over this past weekend was “very positive” and that they believe he “is the type of quarterback that can lead them to a potential championship.”
However, Darlington added the Jets are facing an “ultimate predicament” in wanting Rodgers at a time when Carr is free to sign with any team before the new league year opens in March.
“Right now, we’re looking at a situation where Aaron Rodgers hasn’t even gone to the Packers to say whether he wants to be traded,” Darlington explained on the air. “We don’t know if the Packers would be willing to trade him. We obviously know that there’s a decision to be made there. So do the Jets go hard for Derek Carr now, or do they risk potentially losing him and waiting it out for Aaron Rodgers?”
It was reported ahead of the weekend that the Packers “have all but moved on from” Rodgers and that Carr wants to join his next team before free agency opens on March 15.
Jets players such as wide receiver Garrett Wilson and tight end C.J. Uzomah have openly recruited Rodgers, but the future Hall of Famer seemingly hasn’t yet emerged from his four-day “darkness retreat” he’s allegedly using to help him determine if he wants to stay with the Packers, play for any other team in 2023, or retire.
Rodgers is a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player but may not have the right mentality to play in New York and could be in the twilight of his physical prime following his 39th birthday that he celebrated in December.
Carr isn’t nearly as accomplished, but the four-time Pro Bowl selection is just 31 years old and probably won’t cause many off-the-field headaches for the Jets or any other team.
