The New York Jets and Green Bay Packers are reportedly continuing their talks about trading four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 39-year-old announced last week his intention to play for New York.
But, as Rodgers mentioned and the situation clearly indicates, a trade has yet to be agreed upon. So while Rodgers wants to play for a different team for the first time in his NFL career, he’s not done yet.
In the event the Jets can’t find common ground with the Packers, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said New York had a possible backup plan long before Rodgers made the decision to return to the NFL and seek a trade. .
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Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams throws a pass during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 6, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford was rumored to be available via trade considering the team’s struggles last season after winning all of the previous year.
While the Rams have said Stafford is a pillar of their organization and someone to build around, Florio says the team «would have welcomed» the idea of a trade for him, and the Jets would have been top contenders for him. do it.
«The Rams would (we have been told) welcome the opportunity to trade Stafford,» Florio wrote for Pro Football Talk. «If Aaron Rodgers hadn’t decided to join the Jets, Stafford could have become Plan B, if he had been willing to go to New York.»
JETS HAVE INFLUENCE ON AARON RODGERS TRADE, SAYS FORMER NFL TEAM EXECUTIVE
Rodgers remains the Jets’ top priority, but then again, there’s a chance the trade won’t go through. However, former Philadelphia Eagles team president Joe Banner told the New York Post Sunday that Rodgers has leverage in this situation.
«To me, the Jets can wait without any risk or consequence,» Banner told the newspaper. “The Packers, by waiting, risk that, for some reason, the Jets won’t be interested, and then they don’t have anyone. [to trade with]which really ruins his team for two, probably three years.
«Believing the Jets will do something that reflects impatience isn’t leverage. That’s just hoping they’re stupid. Leverage is putting the Packers in a position where they could lose the only team in interest, which creates a complete disaster for them.» .
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. . (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Rodgers noted on «The Pat McAfee Show,» where he announced his intention to play for the Jets, the Packers indicated to him after his dark retirement that they wanted to move in a different direction at quarterback. Jordan Love, who Green Bay selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft to eventually replace Rodgers, is likely the guy they’ll move to.
With that being the case, Rodgers’ salary cap of $31.62 million this year is the highest number on the books. Bringing him back, especially after she told the world that his intentions were to play in New York, would not only be a bad image, but it would also hurt his finances, since his goal is to build around Love.
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«If I’m the Jets, I’ll get it for as little as I can, and I’m not going to put anybody at risk no matter what,» Banner said.
It’s also unknown what kind of trade package it would take to land Stafford, as Los Angeles wants him back at center center next season. It was a down year for him with just 2,087 yards passing and 10 touchdowns for eight interceptions while going 3-6 as a starter until injury sidelined him for the rest of the year.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) exhales as he warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Monday, December 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
However, the year before, Stafford led the Rams to the Super Bowl with 4,886 yards and 41 touchdowns in the regular season, going 12-5 in the process.
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There is still time to finalize the Rodgers trade, but when it will happen remains a mystery. But it’s worth noting that the NFL Draft is at the end of April, and if draft picks do ship to Green Bay, the Jets would like to do it as soon as possible to ensure their draft plans are intact by that time. weekend.