New York Jets targeted three quarterbacks before Aaron Rodgers signing

09 May 2023 , 15:34

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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers poses with a jersey during an introductory press conference (Image: Elsa/Getty Images)

The New York Jets apparently targeted three potential new quarterbacks before eventually signing Aaron Rodgers.

A long-running saga between the Jets and the Green Bay Packers eventually reached a conclusion just days before the 2023 NFL Draft. It was agreed that Rodgers would be traded to the Jets, with the Packers receiving a number of draft picks.

While the Packers gave up a 15th overall pick and a fifth round pick, as well as Rodgers, they received a 13th overall pick, a second round pick, a sixth round pick and a conditional second round pick for 2024. This will turn into a first round pick should Rodgers take part in at least 65 per cent of offensive snaps during the 2023 season.

The Packers will now go into the 2023 season with Jordan Love expected to be their starting QB. While Rodgers will now be in charge of the Jets’ offense for the new season. However, according to a report in , the Jets were apparently looking at other quarterbacks before moving for Rodgers.

In the article, it’s detailed how the deal to bring Rodgers to the MetLife Stadium came about, while also going into the plans of what the Jets initially wanted to do in terms of signing a new QB. It’s been claimed that New Orleans Saints’ Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders’ Jimmy Garoppolo and Tennessee Titans’ Ryan Tannehill were considered due to them either being available or free agents.

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Reports elsewhere have stated that the Packers initially wanted a deal similar to what saw Matthew Stafford traded from the Detroit Lions to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, which was two first round picks and one third. However, that is not a deal that the Jets wanted to do, so their general manager, Joe Douglas, and his opposite number at Green Bay, Brian Gutekunst, eventually got into negotiations over a trade.

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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers attends an introductory press conference (Elsa/Getty Images)

The report then details how Douglas was first informed of Rodgers’ intentions to move to the Jets, after receiving a phone call in the early hours of the morning on March 13 from the QB’s agent, David Dunn. It’s been claimed that Dunn said: “Hey, man, I know it’s late out there. Aaron wants to be a Jet.”

A deal would eventually be agreed on the Monday before last month’s draft was due to begin. Rodgers was not the only member of the Packers to make the switch to New York, with wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb joining him at the MetLife.

Mark Wakefield