The New York Jets have certainly been an interesting reality show this offseason with their quarterback search. For the last few weeks, we’ve heard of their love for both Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in their bid to get some stability at the position and make a push in the 2023 season.
It’s like a typical reality or dating show. The Jets gushed over Carr during their meetings and reportedly claimed Carr would be a big help to the team and help them become a winner. But like some dating shows, the Jets are holding out hope that their true love will come to them and they are willing to wait as long as it takes. The risk that came with that was the option that was standing right in front of them would leave them at the altar.
Sure enough, the Jets no longer have that fallback option of Carr as he is signing with the New Orleans Saints. The Jets are officially in Aaron Rodgers-or-bust territory.
The Jets really have to hope that A) Rodgers wants to play in 2023 and B) Green Bay is willing to move on Rodgers. Scenario A is still up in the air but Scenario B is looking more and more likely if Rodgers does decide to play. From there, the Jets have to figure out what the package will be to acquire the multi-time MVP. There’s talk it could take two first-round picks, there’s talk it won’t take as much. The contract and Rodger’s commitment are the two biggest factors.
Rodgers is due almost $60 million in total compensation for 2023 and almost $50 million in 2024 which becomes fully guaranteed five days after Super Bowl LVIII. Of course, since Rodgers playing in 2023 isn’t yet a sure thing, his playing in 2024 really isn’t a sure thing.
And yes, he’s going to be 40 years old. But he hasn’t exactly fallen off the face of the earth yet. He declined a bit in 2022, sure, but he would still be miles ahead of what the Jets trotted on the field last season.
The Jets are all in for 2023 in what could be a make-or-break year for both head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas. That all-in is going to include Rodgers because their No. 2 option is gone.
While the Jets really liked Carr, they made it clear to him that they were going to wait for a decision from Rodgers regarding his playing status for 2023. Carr was always the backup option for the Jets. He was the No. 1 option for the Saints. That had to have played a factor in Carr’s decision. New Orleans even made an effort to reach out to the Raiders for permission to talk to Carr even before Las Vegas officially released him. New Orleans was ready to make a trade for Carr before the quarterback decided to just let Vegas release him so that he could be a free agent and make his own decision.
The Jets? They did meet with Carr after he became a free agent and met with him again in Indianapolis at the Scouting Combine. But while they were talking with Carr, they had a picture of Rodgers in their back pocket. Or you can think of it like the movie Draft Day, where Sonny Weaver had the note in his pocket saying “Vontae Mack, no matter what” but for the Jets, it’s “Aaron Rodgers, no matter what.”
Well, now it better be Rodgers because if it’s not, the Jets could be left scrambling. Their safety nets and fallback options are starting to dry up. Carr is now with the Saints and the Titans have all but confirmed they are keeping Ryan Tannehill.
Maybe Jimmy Garoppolo? Sure, but if the Jets stay zeroed in on Rodgers, Garoppolo could get away as well, perhaps to Carr’s old home of Las Vegas.
After that? Oh boy. Could the Jets have to try trading up for a quarterback in the first round? That would be extremely costly, knowing how many teams they’ll have to bid against and jump over to get into position for a quarterback. All of the top four quarterbacks — Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, Anthony Richardson — should go in the top ten now, especially after Richardson’s incredible combine performance.
Moving up for a quarterback already is costly. Then you factor in teams such as Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Carolina and it would be a lot to move up from No. 13 and, in a way, maybe more costly than just getting Rodgers.
One or two first-round picks is certainly a high price for Rodgers, but the amount of draft capital they would probably have to give away for one of the top quarterbacks in the draft could really leave the cupboard bare in the future.
The Jets have had a love-fest for Rodgers for weeks. They better pray he and the Packers don’t leave them at the altar. Even Sonny Weaver may not be able to save them at that point.