Jets getting a style of the Aaron Rodgers Show earlier than he even commits

Only Aaron Rodgers.

The Green Bay Packers quarterback is doing what he all the time does. Rodgers has all the time achieved issues his manner. And he is not stopping now within the closing years of his NFL profession.

So because the Packers seemingly push him out the door in Green Bay (with staff CEO Mark Murphy saying Rodgers will solely return “if things don’t work out the way we want”), the New York Jets have achieved all the pieces they will to make Rodgers really feel welcome. 

The staff’s prime executives flew to see Rodgers and make their pitch. They started placing collectively a commerce package deal within the occasion Rodgers permitted the commerce. And then New York sat on its arms and dedicated to Rodgers. So whereas the Jets look forward to Rodgers to make up his thoughts, the remainder of the NFL has flurried by means of transactions. 

The quarterback carousel has continued to spin. Derek Carr is a Saint. Jimmy Garoppolo will likely be a Raider. Geno Smith is a Seahawk. Daniel Jones is a Giant. Even Sam Freaking Darnold has a staff: the 49ers.

But Rodgers? Technically, he is a Packer. He’s in limbo. And he is holding the Jets there, too.

Just about everybody thought Rodgers would have decided by now. After all, he took time to assume in his darkness retreat. He spoke to the Jets per week in the past. And he has 60 million causes to maintain taking part in in 2023. I believed he would make his resolution previous to midday ET on Monday. That’s when the free company interval basically opened. The Jets may have made their personnel choices round Rodgers. But New York has been unable to make a lot in the best way of selections, as a result of — in fact — Rodgers has but to announce his.

He’s holding them frozen for the time being within the NFL season when groups change essentially the most: the opening days of free company. It’s merely unreasonable. At any second, Rodgers may resolve to retire. He may coax one other staff into the hunt to amass him. Rodgers may resolve, merely, to not go to New York. And the Jets would discover themselves with Zach Wilson as their solely quarterback now that Mike White has left for the Dolphins. So Rodgers has all the facility. And he is exerting it over the Jets.

Rodgers is aware of he is a priceless entity within the NFL. So he flexes his will upon his staff. But on this case, he can not flex on the Packers. He’s as an alternative working the Jets — who aren’t even his staff.

Rodgers has not formally dedicated to New York. But he has given them a to-do record, per ESPN’s Dianna Russini. He desires them to signal receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb and tight finish Marcedes Lewis. That’s an enormous ask. 

The salary-cap burden could be huge, given Rodgers’ already-cumbersome contract. It’s additionally not significantly logical so as to add 4 pass-catchers to a roster that already contains Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah — a gaggle of gamers (albeit flawed) who price the Jets a giant chunk of change and draft capital to assemble.

But what else is New York to do at this level? 

The Jets determined to decide to Circus Ring Leader Aaron Rodgers. And whereas we could not guess what he would do, we may count on the sudden.

The Jets are getting a heaping serving of Rodgers’ drugs earlier than even including him to the staff. And it is not like it’s best to pity New York. Again, the group ought to have recognized what it signed up for. Plus, the Jets should not in a very horrible spot. Not but, at the very least.

If the Rodgers scenario falls aside, the Jets can nonetheless pursue Lamar Jackson, who could be an excellent comfort prize — however a pricey one. New York must provide a contract to Jackson, at the moment on the non-exclusive franchise tag, that the Ravens wouldn’t match. The Jets would additionally must ship the Ravens two first-round picks. 

So what deal can New York provide that Baltimore will not? Probably one thing within the vary of 4 years and $200 million — with all of it assured. It’s an enormous long-term dedication, completely different than the Rodgers scenario, which might require a bigger annual sum of money however for just one or two years. Then there are the differing quarterback kinds — Jackson is dual-threat QB whereas Rodgers is a pocket quarterback. 

Jackson’s arrival would dictate a schematic change in performs for New York. So it is not a simple resolution. But it may be the Jets’ solely resolution if Rodgers flakes out. And you actually can’t rule that out.

Right now, the Jets are doing what they will to appease the Packers quarterback. They’re all-in on Rodgers, partially as a result of they’re afraid of what he may do subsequent. It’s not that completely different from what he did to Green Bay for thus a few years.

So, New York, welcome to the Aaron Rodgers Show. It technically hasn’t even began. 

Are you glad you paid for the ticket?

Prior to becoming a member of FOX Sports because the AFC East reporter, Henry McKenna spent seven years overlaying the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Follow him on Twitter at @McKennAnalysis.

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