Price is key as it pertains to Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets
In the New York Jets‘ ongoing Aaron Rodgers-versus-Derek Carr debate, I am firmly situated on the fence. I can see the good and bad of both options and do not have a strong preference.
But if the latest Rodgers rumor is to be believed, it changes everything about my stance.
On Friday, a tweet from Packer Report writer Jacob Morley indicated that NFL Network analyst (and close friend of Joe Douglas) Daniel Jeremiah believes Rodgers will become a Jet – and he thinks they can get him without giving up a first-round pick. This is according to what Jeremiah has heard “in the halls” of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Daniel Jeremiah and Rich Eisen both mention hearing things "In the halls" of the combine.
DJ says he thinks Rodgers will be a Jet.
Also added he doesn't think it will take a 1st.
— Jacob Morley (@JacobMorley) March 3, 2023
Throughout this process, I have assumed New York would be required to give up at least one first-round pick in any Rodgers trade. This potentially lofty trade cost is an enormous equalizer in the Rodgers-Carr debate, as adding Carr would not require any draft picks. It’s one of the main reasons why I am so torn on which option is better for the franchise.
If Rodgers can be had without giving up a first-rounder, though? Then it’s a no-brainer, in my opinion: Trading for Rodgers is the better path.
The Jets need to add more pieces around Rodgers to win a Super Bowl with him. Adding Rodgers alone will only make the Jets a playoff-caliber team. A few more holes need to be filled before a Rodgers-led Jets team is truly ready to run through AFC contenders like Kansas City, Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Jacksonville on the road to a championship.
New York’s 13th overall pick in this year’s draft is a crucial asset in getting their new quarterback the help he needs to have a legitimate chance at winning a Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Jets do not have much cap room to work with this offseason and they no longer have a surplus of draft picks to dangle in trade conversations as they did in previous years. That pick is their best shot at acquiring an elite-level talent who can be a significant needle-mover for the team in 2023.
The offensive line is New York’s most pressing non-quarterback issue, which is essential to mention in this discussion since it’s a unit that directly affects the quarterback – more so than any other position on the field. The Jets can address that issue by using the 13th pick on a blue-chip offensive line prospect. This is viewed as a strong offensive tackle class, and the Jets should have some intriguing options at that position when they come onto the clock at No. 13. Or, the pick can be traded for a veteran offensive lineman.
As Rodgers approaches 40 years old this December, he needs all the protection he can get. Asking a 40-year-old Rodgers to come in and lead a team with a shoddy offensive line to a Super Bowl does not seem wise. And if the Jets have to give up the 13th overall pick to get Rodgers, there is a realistic chance they will be asking him to do just that.
If the Jets can keep No. 13, though? They can have their cake and eat it too. Joe Douglas can reel in a four-time MVP quarterback while hanging onto a top-15 pick that can be used to solidify his supporting cast. An opportunity like that is hard to pass up.
Maybe the Jeremiah rumor turns out to be false and Rodgers will still cost the Jets a first-rounder after all. Should that turn out to be the case, this entire discussion changes.
For now, though, as this saga drags onward with no real news coming out, the football world is clinging to anything and everything that is remotely worth talking about. The information provided in this rumor could be a game-changer if it turns out to be true, and the source is credible enough for the rumor to be entertained.
Getting Rodgers without losing a first-round pick would be a best-case scenario for the Jets.
This draft class isn’t good. Even the guys that have been discussed as Jets’ targets come with more questions than they should. I’m not an expert but I see nothing exciting. There are no game chaning WR’s, there are no 10 year all pro OL’s. No sure fire DL stud…maybe a DT…. and the QB’s are junk. I mean Young is 5’11” and 190 pounds and he may be the first pick? This draft is soft. If you are going to give up a 1st round pick for anybody this is the year to do it. That said, the “Rogers’ distractions” are a major concern for me. The post about the 40+ year old QB’s makes total sense. All I keep thinking about is Brett Favre just heaving the ball all over the field, basically just giving up on plays, and watching the season go down the tubes. Yeah, maybe he was inured, but that’s the point. We don’t need a guy who will mentally check out when he’s had enough.
This seems to be one of those lose/lose situations and of course it won’t end well for the Jets. I don’t think they end up with Rogers or Carr. My money is on Jimmy and I’m fine with it…
I used to think the Jets would end up with Jimmy (and was fine with that) because I thought Rogers would go to LV. But now it turns out LV isn’t interested, which makes Rogers less expensive. I think Carr is going to the Saints or Panthers. The Jets seem to like Rogers in part because he would be the perfect mentor and a short off ramp to Zach Wilson. None of the comments here include ZW in their considerations, but I think he is still central to the Jets’ thinking. Who knows, if Rogers flakes out (retires) or signs elsewhere, the Jets might still end up with Jimmy.
I tend to agree with your thinking. I know Jets’ fans hate the thought that Zach is still in their plans. I don’t. I know he was the #2 pick, and has looked worse than some HS QB’s at times but if the Jets’ plan were to: Sign a vet, and draft a “project” QB who could be ready in 2 seasons, I think most would be on board. Well, Zach’s the project. I know it would be bucking a trend but that does happen. l don’t hate that plan. Honestly, I have reservations about both Carr & Rogers.
I don’t want Rodgers at any cost..Brady over the past few years, last year excepted made it OK and chique for 40+ year old QBs.
How many besides Brady have had any success. Brady had a few post 40 good seasons but best the anomaly not the rule.
The Tampa Super Bowel team was loaded.
This team has been put together right. Keep doing it that way.
PLEASE don’t trade for Rodgers. He was a lifeless corpse last year with the Packers. He costs WAY too much in terms of salary AND whatever JD trades for him. We only need a decent OL and a serviceable QB (viz. Mike White) to take the next step as perennial playoff contenders.
Add me to the list of Rodgers doubters. What this team needs is a guy who is completely bought in. Who is there for every OTA, every film session. A rah-rah, go team, I bleed green guy. That ain’t Rodgers. I also don’t buy the “we can’t win a SB with anyone other than Rodgers” BS. Carr is plenty good enough to win multiple SBs with a solid team around him. Something he’s never had in his career.
Not seeing it.
If Rodgers was “all in” on the Jets; sure. If he were to be willing to renegotiate his contract down so Joe could pick up more free agents, sure. But Rodgers seems to be all about Rodgers. I don’t begrudge the man his payday or his choices, but Brady has a lot more rings than Rodgers because Brady was single-minded in his pursuit of rings. Rodgers isn’t and the Jets need someone who is.
I don’t think anyone ever expected a 1st for Rodgers except as a possible conditional pick if the Jets make the Super Bowl. All the noise about lots of picks has been fueled by the click bait media. A 3rd or 4th rounder plus a conditional pick has always been the likely compensation. The biggest cost is the 108 million over 2 years and the biggest benefit for the Packers is dumping that ridiculous crippling contract.
The more pertinent question is how do the Packers get rid of Rodgers prior to June 1st and will Rodgers renegotiate his contract as part of the trade to spread that compensation out to lower his average yearly value?
I have moved into the please never trade for Rodgers under any circumstances camp. His narccistic diva me me me behavior is everything this young Jets team does not need. I would find it very hard to root for someone as selfish as Rodgers. Rodgers reminds me of Adam Gase in that he is constantly trying to prove how smart he is, which almost does the opposite.
I don’t have to a make a long post now because I can just say, “ditto.” I don’t want to have to root for Rodgers, and the cost of ’24, ’25 and ’26 pretty much guarantees another rebuild. I’d much rather see a competitive team with Q, Gardner, Hall, Garrett, etc into 2025 than be talking about what the Jets can get for them in trades…even if Rodgers won a Lombardi here. I know a lot of people would disagree with that, and that’s fine, but I just want to watch good football as often as possible, and the inevitable rebuild that follows a Rodgers trade is a non-starter for me.