Individuals within NFL circles seem to believe the New York Jets have no plan B in mind if they don’t acquire Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason.
For a piece published on Friday, “a longtime personnel executive” told ESPN’s Rich Cimini that the Jets’ front office and ownership are “just intoxicated with Rodgers” this spring.
“They’ve sold their soul now,” that executive added about the Jets.
Even before Rodgers confirmed during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show earlier this month that he intends to play for the Jets later this year, it was reported that he had supplied Gang Green with “a wish list of free agents he’d like them to pursue and acquire” that included former Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard and free agent Odell Beckham Jr.
The Jets have since signed Lazard and reportedly have a “very real” interest in Beckham, although some have suggested that the club may not be able to “afford” the three-time Pro Bowl selection based on his alleged salary demands.
“I’m not saying [Beckham] wouldn’t have a role — he’s still talented — but I don’t know what baggage he’s bringing,” the personnel executive said. “He used to have that diva mentality. He’s toned it down — maturity happened along the way — but I don’t see him as a $10 million or $12 million player.”
Beckham and Rodgers publicly hinted throughout the fall as OBJ was recovering from the torn ACL he suffered during Super Bowl LVI in February 2022 that they could one day play alongside each other. How much money Beckham is looking to earn after he didn’t play a snap of meaningful football this past season remains unclear, but the Jets have signed former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman and been linked with former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Cimini noted that the Jets’ offseason activities coupled with free-agency rumors indicate “that Rodgers eventually landing in New York has made them a free-agent destination.”
As Audacy’s Ryan Chichester pointed out, though, ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently reported that the two teams “have been stalled in” trade talks. The Packers are no longer discussing Rodgers’ status publicly and have no reason to rush a trade unless they are satisfied with the compensation they receive.
“If Rodgers likes [Beckham] and he’s interested, I’d be interested, too, if I were the Jets,” a veteran scout said. That’s fine and all, but it also ignores Rodgers is still a Green Bay player as of the fourth Friday of March.
