Aaron Rodgers wants to be a New York Jet. But he doesn’t want to make the move from Green Bay to the big city on his own.
Another day of the ongoing saga revolving around the four-time MVP’s future brought a new twist. Rodgers hadn’t been traded two days into the NFL’s free agent bargaining period, but he did seem to take a step forward by presenting New York with a wish list. Not for a psychotropic-friendly locker room or breakdown of local shamans, but of Packer teammates (and one famous non-teammate) to join him on the roster.
So far, that reportedly includes 27-year-old Allen Lazard, 30-year-old Odell Beckham Jr., 32-year-old Randall Cobb and soon-to-be 39-year-old Marcedes Lewis.
Aaron Rodgers has provided the NY Jets with a wish-list of free agents he would like them to target and acquire, per sources.
It includes Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Marcedes Lewis and….Odell Beckham Jr.— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 14, 2023
All four of those veterans can still contribute to varying degrees, whether it’s as a blocker, possession receiver, field-stretcher or just a trusted third-down confidant. But why stop there? Rodgers holds the cards in this deal, just like he did in 2021 when he convinced Green Bay to rescue Cobb from the Texans’ roster via trade. Let’s plunge a little further into that well and see who could fill out the fringes of the Jets’ WR/TE depth chart.
Jake Kumerow
Kumerow’s release in 2020 reportedly began the rift between player and franchise that’s now unofficially beyond repair. The former Wisconsin-Whitewater star had 20 catches in two seasons with Green Bay but developed a bond with his star quarterback — to the point where Rodgers felt betrayed when the team moved on from him without asking for Rodgers’ input.
Kumerow has spent the last three seasons as a sometimes member of the Bills’ active roster, catching seven passes in 27 games. At 31 years old he’s younger than half the targets on Rodgers’ reported wish list.
Robert Tonyan
Kumerow isn’t the only undrafted free agent from a small school Rodgers shares a bond with. Tonyan rose up from Indiana State to haul in 11 touchdowns in 2020 and has spent all five of his pro seasons in Green Bay. He’s currently a free agent and only 28 years old. The Jets already have CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin at tight end, but neither of those guys have ever hung out in Ashwaubenon with Rodgers, so … advantage, Tonyan.
Jordy Nelson
The most obvious answer among the ranks of the inactive. Nelson, like Cobb, left Green Bay late in his career. But unlike Cobb he retired before he could reunite with Rodgers. He hasn’t played since 2018 but remains a full year younger than Lewis. If nothing else, he could provide practical advice on how to read Rodgers’ eyes at the line of scrimmage and know when to break out a perfect fly route.
James Jones
Jones went out on top, hauling in eight touchdown passes in his final season as a pro. Sure that was in 2015, but he’s still only about 50 days older than Lewis. Plus the dude made wearing a hoodie under your pads look so cool the NFL banned it. The man’s an icon.
Greg Jennings
39 years old. Even so, New York needs someone who knows how to put a team on his back.
(Language is NSFW.)
