Aaron Rodgers says he needs to play for Jets in 2023

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Quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated Wednesday on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he intends to play for the New York Jets this season.

Rodgers stated he made that call on Friday, and he’s not holding up a commerce, which nonetheless is not finalized. The two groups and Rodgers stay in touch, sources stated, as they attempt to work by means of the ultimate levels of a possible deal, which would come with restructuring Rodgers’ contract and agreeing on commerce compensation.

“I made it clear my intention was to play and to play for the New York Jets, and I haven’t been holding anything up. It’s the compensation that the Packers are trying to get … The Packers want to move on and have let me know that in so many words,” he stated.

Rodgers, who went on a four-day darkness retreat to ponder his future, stated he was 90% certain he was retiring when he went on the retreat. When he left the darkness he stated one thing modified with the Packers’ earlier stance towards him that they needed him to play his complete profession in Green Bay and he wished the group was extra direct with him in the beginning of the offseason.

Rodgers stated he’ll all the time love the Packers group however it’s clear it is time for a change.

“I f—ing love that city. I love that organization and always going to have love for that organization. The facts are right now they want to move on and now so do I,” he stated.

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He stated his determination to go away Green Bay was “bittersweet.”

“I got to the be the starting quarterback of the Packers for 15 years … So, I love you, Green Bay. Thank you. I’m as sad as some of you are, but we’ll meet again.”

Only a yr in the past, Rodgers appeared destined to complete his profession in Green Bay. After considering retirement following the 2021 season, he signed a three-year, $150 million contract extension in March, 2022.

Rodgers’ contract contains $59.465 million assured in wage and bonus this season. Most of it’s made up of a $58.3 million bonus that’s due no later than Week 1 of this season. The Packers would take up $40.3 million in lifeless cash on their wage cap. Because his bonus cash is prorated, Rodgers will not cripple the Jets’ cap. He will rely $15.8 million in 2023 and $32.5 million in 2024, cap-friendly for a participant of his stature.

“I got to the be the starting quarterback of the Packers for 15 years … So, I love you, Green Bay. Thank you. I’m as sad as some of you are, but we’ll meet again.”

Aaron Rodgers

A contingent of Jets officers, together with proprietor Woody Johnson, basic supervisor Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, flew to California final week to fulfill with Rodgers.

In addition, a number of Jets gamers tweeted at Rodgers to recruit him, together with cornerback Sauce Gardner, who promised he would burn the cheesehead he wore to rejoice New York’s victory over the Packers final season at Lambeau Field. Gardner later fulfilled the promise by burning the cheesehead in a video posted to YouTube.

Rodgers, 39, has provided the Jets with a want listing of free brokers he’d like them to pursue and purchase, and it contains Odell Beckham Jr., sources informed ESPN’s Dianna Russini. Another participant on that listing, Packers free agent vast receiver Allen Lazard, agreed to a four-year, $44 million contract with the Jets on Tuesday, a supply confirmed to ESPN.

Rodgers, nevertheless, stated Wednesday that the notion that he supplied the Jets with a want listing is “ridiculous.” He did, nevertheless, say the Jets requested him about gamers he had performed with, however he made no calls for.

“My only demand is for transparency,” he stated.

Packers president Mark Murphy made clear final week that Rodgers’ return to the group wasn’t the group’s first selection they usually hoped to discover a “win-win situation” for the four-time MVP and the group.

The Jets’ Super Bowl odds have been bettering steadily during the last week at sportsbooks. On Wednesday, after Rodgers introduced his intentions, the Jets have been 14-1 to win the Super Bowl at Caesars Sportsbook. At that worth, solely 5 groups — the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals — had higher odds than the Jets, who entered the offseason at 30-1 to win the Super Bowl. They started the week at 17-1 at Caesars.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Rob Demovsky and David Purdum contributed to this report.