The New York Jets ’ interest in free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr is real, according to reports, while trade talks over Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers are rumbling on.
The Jets have already acquired Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman in free agency this off-season, and want to continue to add to their roster in a bid to end a 54-year wait for a second Super Bowl by adding Rodgers and Beckham Jr.
An NFL draft deadline has been set for the Packers and the Jets to thrash out terms over a trade for wantaway four-time MVP Rodgers, who last week publicly stated his desire to move to the New York-based franchise.
Reports from earlier this month suggested that Rodgers put forward one-time Super Bowl winner Beckham Jr, 30, as one of four free agent suggestions for the Jets to pursue.
And according to SNYtv NFL reporter Connor Hughes, the Jets hold a legitimate interest in Beckham Jr, who didn’t feature in the 2022 season. Beckham Jr hasn't played since he suffered a torn ACL - the second of his NFL career - in the 2021 Super Bowl and was released by the Los Angeles Rams.
The report goes on to state that although neither Rodgers nor Beckham Jr are signed to the Jets, both have discussed playing together in New York. The pair are said to be very close friends.
And with Elijah Moore being traded to the Cleveland Browns, there is an opening at the Jets for Beckham Jr should a move be made. The Jets could, however, face competition for Beckham Jr.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been urged by ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky to sign Beckham Jr in order to compete with the offensive firepower possessed by rivals the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals.
Amid reports Beckham wanted $20m annually, he took to social media to insist the number was lower than that - but he didn’t want to play for a figure as low as $4m. Beckham tweeted: "I’m just so confused where the quote is from me that said I want 20. All I’m sayin' is 4 AIN'T enough."