One rumor claims the New England Patriots tried to trade for Aaron Rodgers before he decided to join the New York Jets
There’s no love lost between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots. Even though Tom Brady is no longer in New England, the two teams still have a bitter rivalry. And now the rivalry has an Aaron Rodgers wrinkle added to it.
This is mostly due to Bill Belichick, the man who resigned as the Jets head coach on a napkin without warning in 2000. Belichick has never hesitated to take shots at the Jets. During this year’s draft, the Patriots traded with the Pittsburgh Steelers, allowing them to move in front of Gang Green – a trade that most assume was made only to spite the Jets.
As it turns out, that wasn’t the only way Belichick tried to spite New York this year.
Per a report from The Carton Show on Fox Sports, the Patriots attempted to trade for Rodgers prior to him joining the Jets. As it turns out, Rodgers doesn’t seem to be a fan of the Patriots himself. Evidently, Rodgers had his representatives make it very aware (to the Packers and Patriots) that if he were to be traded to the Patriots, he would retire.
.@craigcartonlive says the Patriots made an offer for Aaron Rodgers 😳
"The Patriots made an offer for Aaron Rodgers, and he refused to play for New England." pic.twitter.com/qncsVLx6pS
— The Carton Show (@TheCartonShow) June 14, 2023
If you’re a Jets fan, that’s something you love to see.
For the Patriots, it makes sense why the team would target Rodgers. Their current quarterback, Mac Jones, was benched for Bailey Zappe last season. In a division where they are the most likely team that’ll be on the outside looking in, the Patriots had to make a move to try and regain some relevancy.
Unfortunately for them, it didn’t come in the form of landing a future Hall of Fame quarterback. That honor went to the Jets, who will look to sweep the Patriots in the regular season for the first time since the 2000 season.
