The New York Jets are still yet to complete a trade for Aaron Rodgers, but they've already been warned about expecting too much from an anonymous NFL executive.
Rodgers is expected to leave the Green Bay Packers for the first time in his NFL career and join the Jets for the 2023 season. After remaining silent for the majority of the offseason, Rodgers finally declared that he intended to play for the Jets, and the Packers granted him permission to discuss with the franchise.
An imminent announcement was expected, but the move appears to have stalled over the last few weeks - although it's still expected to go through. However, there is some concern that Rodgers may not be explosive as some are expecting.
For the Jets, a move for Rodgers is a no brainer. They were one of the most improved teams last year, but lacked a consistent quarterback which ultimately hindered their play-off ambitions.
With Rodgers, their team will receive a huge loft offensively, and his experience will be priceless within the locker room. There aren't many negatives to the deal which is why the Jets have been so persistent, but one NFL executive did express one concern to The Athletic.
"Rodgers is not as good as he was, but he will bring life to that place," one executive said to The Athletic. "The first year, the honeymoon year, is going to be fine.
"It won’t blow up the first year. It will be better. There will be a freshness, which will go a long way. They have some pretty good skill guys."
However, another executive thinks that the move could even save the jobs of those in the front office, on top of boosting their chances on the field. "If they don’t trade for (Rodgers) this year and they went with Zach Wilson or Jimmy Garoppolo and did not make the playoffs, what happens to the GM and the head coach?" another exec said.
"They are getting a Tier 1 quarterback, and they are saving their jobs as a result of it, even though they have done moderately well in drafting and even the trade they made for Jamal Adams. They’ve done some good things. Zach Wilson and Mekhi Becton are the big misses."
