Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has confirmed that he wants to play for the New York Jets. While a guest on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers noted, “Since Friday, I made it clear that my intention was to play and it was my intention to play for the New York Jets.” The only hurdle at this point seems to be the Jets crossing the ts and dotting the Is — meaning the teams need to work out compensation — and rumors of the Jets lining up some of the players Rodgers believes the franchise should acquire as receivers.
Rodgers spent 18 years with the Packers, was a four-time First-Team All-Pro, a four-time Passing Rating Leader, and a four-time MVP. He won a Super Bowl Championship with the organization, but he will now take his talents to the Jets after the Packers decided the juice was no longer worth the squeeze in Green Bay.
Rodgers sent a message to Packers fans when he said, “I love you Green Bay. I am as sad as some of you are. But we’ll meet again.”
Rodgers felt it was time to talk to the public about what was really going on. While he noted “I will say this, this isn’t a decision day. This isn’t me announcing to the world what’s going on. We’re days past this. This is clearing things up.” He revealed that he told media insiders that were sharing false narratives to stop. In one case, he messaged, “lose my number, nice try.” Rodgers shot down any rumors that he had a sheet of paper that he met with the Jets and said “sign these people.” He called the report ridiculous. Respected NFL insider Adam Schefter was among those people told off and Schefter confirmed that Rodgers did, in fact, send that message.
As for what the Packers are looking for in a return for Rodgers, a report by Tom Pelissero notes that “Green Bay isn’t looking for multiple first-round picks like other QBs (Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford) have commanded in recent years. Talks ongoing.”