Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to be linked with a trade to the New York Jets, and now they've made the move even more appealing.
The Jets announced on Thursday that they've signed Nathaniel Hackett as their new offensive coordinator, someone Rodgers rates very highly. Hackett recently left the Denver Broncos as head coach, but will now lead the Jets offense next season.
Hackett was the Packers offensive coordinator between 2019-2021, and worked very closely with Rodgers while he scooped up another MVP award. Rodgers has already stated his desire to win another, and the prospect of moving to the Jets now looks even more appealing.
Rodgers has two years left on his deal with the Packers, and it's a big one too after he signed a three-year, $150 million contract extension last March. The Packers endured a disappointing season, and Rodgers admitted "it could be time to step away" when asked about his future.
It seemed certain that Rodgers would remain as the Packers quarterback despite this, but links to the Jets are gaining traction. The Jets have a stacked roster, but their main concern is at quarterback, as Zach Wilson doesn't appear to be ready just yet.
With Hackett now their new OC, and not many better in the business to learn under than Rodgers, it seems like the perfect deal for the Jets to try and get over the line. Financially, the Packers may too be interested, but they'll want some favourable draft picks to sign off the deal.
Even Jets legend Joe Namath wants to see Rodgers join, and he's willing to unretire his no.12 jersey so that it can be worn by the Packers star. "I hope it can come true, but it’s farfetched,” Namath said about the Rodgers links on WFAN's "Tiki And Tierney" show.
"I know (Jets owner) Mr. Johnson is trying to get a quarterback, and if there’s a way he can get Rodgers... I'm a big Rodgers fan, and I noticed that he wears number 12, of course.
"I'm thinking, well, man, if we get him on our side, is he still going to be wearing number 12? Because the number was retired many years ago."
Namath led the Jets to their sole Super Bowl success, and saw his jersey retired in 1985. But he's been told that the decision on allowing Rodgers to wear No. 12 would be up to him, and he's already made up his mind.
"Well, this is what I'm saying, it's on ownership," Namath said. "It's different ownership. It's different people. And I'd sure like Rodgers, if he's there, I want him to wear his number, man.
"We established ourselves and we've got a real respect for our numbers, and Aaron Rodgers, God almighty, yeah! It'd be great to have him in New York."
