Aaron Rodgers had several teams to choose from this offseason when he determined he would leave the Green Bay Packers, his strong body of work attracting interest from around the NFL.
The quarterback ultimately signed off on a trade to the New York Jets, but according to The Carton Show, he only did so after nixing a proposed move to the New England Patriots. His decision came down to a preference of an upstart, Robert Saleh-led squad over Bill Belichick's organization.
“When Aaron Rodgers heard it [the Patriots’ offer], his agent said no we ain’t playing for New England, we want to be a Jet,” show host Craig Carton said.
The Patriots' apparent offer for Rodgers suggests New England isn't sold on Mac Jones as its quarterback of the future despite selecting him No. 15 overall in 2021. His passer rating dropped from 92.5 as a rookie to 84.8 last year.
Jones was publicly backed by new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien in April, but given the trade reports, there may have been a different feeling behind the scenes.
"Fresh start," O'Brien said to reporters of Jones' outlook. "It's really not anything about what's gone on in the past. That's one of our themes on offense, to move forward."
Rodgers will now aim to torment the Patriots and the rest of the AFC East after arriving in New York from Green Bay. He will face New England twice in 2023 with his new organisation — on September 24 and January 7.
The deal that brought the Super Bowl winner and two picks to the Jets cost New York its 2023 first-round pick (No. 13), a 2023 second-round pick (No. 42), a 2023 sixth-round pick (No. 207) and a conditional 2024 second-round pick that becomes a first if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the plays this season, according to ESPN.
For a prominent organisation that has for decades struggled to find an all-time great quarterback, such a trade was a no-brainer.
“Me, personally, I’ve never been around a quarterback like that,” Saleh told Sports Illustrated. “[I've seen] some good quarterbacks— Russell [Wilson], Jimmy [Garoppolo], Matt Schaub. This is different, and not to speak poorly on them. So he throws a ball to C.J. Uzomah. And I was like, 'He’s covered!' And he says, 'Guy’s not looking at me, he’s open.'”
Rodgers became a heroic figure in Green Bay but missed the playoffs in 2022 after winning MVP in the previous two seasons. The 39-year-old considered his career options at a darkness retreat after the frustrating campaign and determined he needed a change.
The Jets — not the Patriots — felt like the right fit.
“There were other teams that were interested,” Rodgers said. ”There’s a lot of reasons why the Jets are attractive. But there’s one coach who has meant as much to me as anybody ever has. And he [Nathaniel Hackett] happens to be the offensive coordinator. He’s not just a f***ing great human, he’s a great football coach.”
