Quarterback Aaron Rodgers touched base with the Jets on Monday, Trey Wingo reports. “While nothing is imminent Rodgers is open to the idea of going to NY,” he said.
The news represents an important step forward as Rodgers and his longtime team, the Packers, appear to be truly entertaining a breakup after multiple years of rumors and speculation about potential trades as well as the four-time MVP’s potential retirement.
Rodgers has not made any public announcement about his future. The quarterback has been weighing a return to Green Bay, a move to another team (with the Jets commonly cited as a top option) and retirement. News of his discussions with New York makes one important thing clear: the Packers are open to dealing the veteran signal-caller.
Green Bay would need to sign off on any discussion between Rodgers, who remains under contract, and another team, or that team would be guilty of tampering. Wingo’s report, which has been confirmed by Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, indicates that the Packers are at least willing to entertain a move.
The news comes after another top Jets quarterback target, Derek Carr, opted to sign with the Saints. The former Raiders’ QB was one of the few available to sign with a new team after being granted his release by Las Vegas in February.
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Before Green Bay officially deals Rodgers, he must make an official decision on what his future holds. In an interview last week, after returning from his much-discussed “darkness retreat,” Rodgers told podcast host Aubrey Marcus that he will make that call shortly.
“It’s best for anybody who has an interest in this to make a decision sooner rather than later,” Rodgers said. “I remember when [Brett] Favre… before he retired, there were times in April and May, we weren’t sure if he was going to come back because he didn’t come to any of the offseason program. Then in 2008, he actually did retire in March and then kind of said, ’No, no, no,’ actually in June after OTAs, ‘I actually want to come back and play.’ And that’s when he was traded to the Jets. There was obviously a lot of tension that summer. For everybody involved directly and indirectly, it’s best for a decision earlier.
An earlier decision would also be best for the Jets, if there is a deal to be had. A trade for Rodgers would be a clear signal that the long-rebuilding team is serious about making a Super Bowl run.
