Content available exclusively for subscribers
I don’t get this one:
People in the media like to take cheap shots at the Jets because they consider them low-hanging fruit.
“It’s interesting that the Jets have decided to go all-in on Aaron Rodgers even though Lamar Jackson is out there, but the Jets are the Jets and they’re going to do Jets things,” wrote John Breech of CBSSports.com.
What does that exactly mean?
They should give up a couple of first-round picks to the Baltimore Ravens and give Lamar Jackson the reckless contract that Cleveland Browns gave to Deshaun Watson, with over $200 million in guaranteed money.
And make this move, even though he probably doesn’t want to play for them?
“We want volunteers, not hostages,” Mike Tomlin once famously said.
If Jackson can’t get a deal done with Baltimore, it’s pretty clear to those around the league, the Boynton Beach native wants to play for the Miami Dolphins. Originally from Pompano Beach, before his family moved to Boynton Beach, Jackson would love to play in South Florida.
Also, does Jackson fit the system the Jets are installing with new coordinator Nate Hackett?
Rodgers does, and that is one of the reasons he’s a much better fit for the Jets than Jackson. Obviously, Jackson’s age (26) is more appealing, but also keep in mind he is coming off two seasons cut short by lower extremity injuries, first a high ankle sprain in 2021, and then a knee last year.
Perhaps his running style is catching up to him.
So no, the Jets are doing nothing wrong pursuing Rodgers now, and not Jackson.
Another angle I don’t get that is being pushed is, after meeting with Rodgers, Woody Johnson is now ” fully on board with getting Rodgers.” When was he not?
ESPN reported Johnson, “left the meeting excited and satisfied about the potential match.”
Honestly, folks, this isn’t about the Jets being “excited and satisfied about the potential match,” it’s whether Rodgers is “excited and satisfied about the potential match” with them.
It’s up to him.
He holds all the cards here, not only about where he could potentially land in a trade, but also about whether he wants to stay in Green Bay.
He’s got a no-trade clause, and $59 million guaranteed this year from Green Bay. He’s got all the leverage.
You hear this speculation about the Packers being fed-up and done with him. Whether that is true or not, he can still decide to play for them this year, and there is little they can do about it. They aren’t going to cut him.
I just wonder if Rogers, behind the scenes with his agent David Dunn, from Athlete’s First, are trying to find another suitor, aside from the Jets.
Right now, at least publicly, the perception is that it’s either Rodgers is traded to the Jets or stays in Green Bay. The Las Vegas Raiders have dropped out of contention, according to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur.
I’m not saying a mystery suitor will emerge, but surely Dunn is doing his due diligence. For another suitor to emerge, Dunn would have re-work the contract in a major way. Most teams can’t take the kind of cap hit Rodgers’ current deal would lead it.
Once again, I’m not throwing cold water on Rodgers to the Jets, it could happen, but it’s up to him, and while the Jets might have been thrilled with how the meeting went, who knows how the QB felt about it? Last time I checked, he said nothing about it, one way or the other.
March 10, 2023
Premium will return by 9:30 pm or sooner or Monday.
