After some reports on Monday (and social media posts from Jets players) that Aaron Rodgers was nearing a move to the Jets, the Packers quarterback had yet to make a decision come Tuesday.
But one thing is clear: Rodgers has all the leverage on the Jets and he knows it.
According to a report from ESPN’s Dianna Russini, Rodgers gave the Jets a wish list of players they’d have to acquire in order for him to join New York. That list included his former Packers teammates like Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard and Marcedes Lewis. Rodgers also wanted the Jets to pick up Odell Beckham Jr., who missed all of last season while recovering from an ACL injury as an unsigned free agent.
Aaron Rodgers has provided the NY Jets with a wish-list of free agents he would like them to target and acquire, per sources.
It includes Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Marcedes Lewis and….Odell Beckham Jr.— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 14, 2023
Theoretically, Rodgers would have wanted to leave the Packers because the aging roster didn’t have them in a position to contend and not bring that aging roster to New York — a team with a talented, young core already in place — with him. But, again, Rodgers knows the Jets are desperate, so why not see if they can bring his friends along for the ride? With Rodgers, it rarely makes sense.
The Jets seem to be listening to Rodgers too as they’re involved with the players on that list.
Jets are actively working to reach an agreement with Packers’ free-agent WR Allen Lazard, per league sources. There is another team involved, and no final decision, but the Jets are trying to reunite Lazard and OC Nathaniel Hackett. pic.twitter.com/rkzX17o5do
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2023
With the Jets closing in on a deal for WR Allen Lazard, another WR expected to be on their radar in the coming days of free agency is Packers’ veteran Randall Cobb, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2023
Packers’ veteran free-agent TE Marcedes Lewis, who spent the past five seasons in Green Bay, has drawn interest from, amongst others, the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders, per league sources
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2023
The desperation was so transparent from the Jets — who must REALLY not want to see Zach Wilson at quarterback next season — that fans had plenty of jokes for the Rodgers wish list.
This was how Twitter reacted
The current Aaron Rodgers situation: https://t.co/e3xq19g8lO pic.twitter.com/KWYEPLO6fR
— BIGPLAY (@BIGPLAY) March 14, 2023
Aaron complained about the Packers not getting him more receivers
BUT
Aaron wants all the receivers the Packers got him even though the Jets already have good receivers https://t.co/UTAtXTGPFk pic.twitter.com/xQ4hMRWyS8— Dave Dameshek (@Dameshek) March 14, 2023
Rodgers scowling thoughtfully at the waiver wire in a standard 12-team fantasy football league. https://t.co/VuWA7FcBAJ
— David Roth (@david_j_roth) March 14, 2023
Aaron Rodgers: https://t.co/HuRCRd6AdK pic.twitter.com/kmQoFrt8Ua
— all my teams want me dead (@PanasonicDX4500) March 14, 2023
aaron rodgers is holding the jets hostage like michael scott with the pizza boy https://t.co/CoHJ8VXUTN
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) March 14, 2023
Guy’s a worse GM than Lebron https://t.co/A6vM0a2XHC
— Jakob Sanderson (@JakobSanderson) March 14, 2023
Everyone: "Aaron Rodgers could take what was a pretty good Jets offense and make it exceptional!"
Aaron Rodgers: "These offensive players … a little young, no?" https://t.co/Gq4DcsIFtn
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) March 14, 2023
Rodgers is very serious about trying to win this upcoming 2014 NFL season. https://t.co/og8JiUk8WI
— Field Gulls (@FieldGulls) March 14, 2023
i want all my friends to be as loyal to me as aaron rodgers is to randall cobb https://t.co/TRX2lp5qUu
— Harry Lyles Jr. (@harrylylesjr) March 14, 2023
What could possibly go wrong?
