Four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers has seemingly gone back on his promise of not holding any teams hostage after he failed to inform the New York Jets of his decision ahead of the start of the NFL’s legal tampering period.
The NFL’s legal tampering period began at 11am CT (4pm GMT) on Monday. Ahead of free agency beginning, the NFL legal tampering period opens to allow teams to get a head start on negotiating with players.
During the NFL legal tampering period, teams have the right to discuss ‘all aspects of an NFL player contract’ without actually signing a deal. Nothing can be made official during the tampering period but both teams and players can agree deals before signing and confirming them once the new league year begins.
Rodgers has been embroiled in a trade saga between his Green Bay Packers and the Jets for some time. The 39-year-old has repeatedly said he doesn’t want to hold anyone hostage with his decision as he weighs up retirement, joining the Jets or returning to Green Bay for a 19th season.
However, Rodgers’ inability to come to a decision has undoubtedly hamstrung the Jets. The AFC East side are now stuck in an undesirable position where they are essentially either Rodgers or bust, as they can’t negotiate with other quarterbacks or entice other free agents who may want to play with the Super Bowl XLV MVP.
So far, the Jets have appeared determined to seal a high-profile trade for the Packers veteran after the team slipped out of playoff contention due to poor quarterback play en route to a 7-10 record. Jets owner Woody Johnson has made it clear he is keen on securing a high-profile quarterback for the 2023 season and he met with Rodgers in California last week, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.
Last Tuesday, Johnson was joined by general manager Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in flying to Rodgers’ native California to gauge his interest. The team have even made room ahead of the potential marquee acquisition, clearing $15.2million (£12.5m) in cap space by restructuring the contracts of cornerback DJ Reed, offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson and tight end Tyler Conklin.
Rodgers signed a monster new contract with the Packers last offseason to earn $50.27m (£41.3m) per year through the 2026 season, when he will be 43 years of age. However, his 2023 cap hit if he is traded to a new team is just $15.74m (£12.9m) - so the Jets appear to be gearing up for the outspoken former Super Bowl champion’s arrival.
While Rodgers finished 2022 with 12 interceptions - the most he threw in a single campaign since 2008, his first year as a starter - Jets fans won’t care. The fanbase has been starved of solid quarterback play while they haven’t tasted the postseason since 2010, which is the longest drought in the NFL.
