NEW YORK — On Tuesday, Jets brass flew out to California to meet with Aaron Rodgers after receiving permission from the Packers to talk to the star quarterback. Jets owner Woody Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas, coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett traveled to the west coast with the hopes of acquiring the former four-time MVP.
Now it appears Gang Green is closer to landing the 39-year-old quarterback.
The Jets are “optimistic” that they will land Rodgers in a trade, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.
Rodgers is scheduled to make $59.5 million guaranteed if he plays in 2023, part of the three-year, $150 million contract extension he signed last year.
While the Packers and Jets will continue to engage in trade compensation conversations, they could also restructure Rodgers’ contract to allow for an easier cap hit. But Rodgers’ salary cap hit is only $15.8 million in 2023 and $32.5 million in 2024.
Currently, the Jets are $1.7 million over the salary cap. All 32 NFL teams must be under the cap by the start of each new league year, which starts on March 15.
The four-time MVP is coming off one of his worst seasons as he passed for 3,695 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also threw 12 interceptions, which was the most since 2010.
Also, Rodgers did not record a single 300-yard passing game as he dealt with a broken thumb and injuries to his ribs and a knee during the season as the Packers missed the playoffs and had their first losing record (8-9) since 2018.
Since the end of the season, Rodgers has been contemplating his future. He could retire, remain with the Packers or ask for a trade. He went on a darkness retreat in southern Oregon to find clarity on his future, but Rodgers remains undecided as he said on the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” last week that he would make a decision about his future soon.
If Rodgers is traded to the Jets, he would instantly make them a contender in the AFC East. Last season, the Jets defense finished fourth in yards (311.1) and points allowed (18.6).
But the Jets offense was anything but spectacular in 2022, starting three different quarterbacks. Former first-round pick Zach Wilson was benched multiple times as he passed for 1,688 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 54.5% of his passes in nine games. Joe Flacco and Mike White also started multiple games for the Jets, but they’re both unrestricted free agents.
After the Jets finished 25th in total offense (318.2) and 29th in points scored (17.4) and did not score a single touchdown in their last three games of the year, they’re looking for a veteran quarterback this offseason. Gang Green spoke with Derek Carr about potentially signing with the team, but Rodgers was always its No. 1 option. After waiting for about a month, Carr signed a four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints on Monday.
