Where Will Rodgers Go? Jets, Raiders Top in Contention

by Anthony Dacunto

Recent Speculation

There has been a lot of recent buzz regarding Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers and where the QB veteran will end up as a result of this offseason. Sources say that the Packers organization wishes to move on from Rodgers, with all signs now pointing to a trade. It is speculated by most that Rodgers would end up going to a team in the AFC, if a trade were to take place. It was also speculated that Rodgers would maybe take a trip to San Francisco and suit up with the 49ers. Any speculation of this was recently brought to an end, when Rodgers stated “I’m not going to San Fran'' while playing in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am last Wednesday. 

Who is Interested?

As of right now, it would appear that the two top teams in contention for the quarterback are the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders. For a while, it seemed that the Tennessee Titans would maybe take a stab at acquiring Rodgers, but talks of any interest from the organization have faded. Both the Jets and the Raiders are currently in desperate need of a solid-starting quarterback. After a rather unsuccessful season for both, these teams are choosing to part ways with their current QB starters in search of something greater.

 

Derek Carr and the Raiders

 After a long nine years with the Raiders, it seems that Derek Carr will be making his exit from the organization. As devoted as he was, Carr’s career with the team is in no way memorable. Six of his nine seasons with the Raiders concluded in losing records. Carr, like any other player, has had long dreams of winning a championship, which he hoped he could accomplish in his tenure with the Raiders. Unfortunately, the 31-year-old veteran will now have to play his cards elsewhere in the league. Las Vegas sees Rodgers as a perfect fit, one who can possibly flip the script and lead the team to victory after so many disappointing seasons. Acquiring Rodgers would also reunite him with Raiders WR Davante Adams. Rodgers and Adams once played together, with Adams formally being drafted by the Packers and spending a total of eight seasons with the team. Fans, as well as Adams himself, hope for this reunion to take place. Reuniting these two players, who have a previously established chemistry, could deem to be rather satisfactory for the Raiders.

The QB Limbo of the Jets 

For the New York Jets, they also see Rodgers as being just right for their team and future. In 2021, the Jets drafted Zach Wilson second overall, and believed themselves to be set when it came to finding a solid QB starter. In his two seasons with the Jets, Wilson accumulated an overall losing record of 8-14, throwing for 4,022 yards and 15 touchdowns. He threw a total of 18 interceptions in these two seasons. Through these two seasons, it would appear that Wilson was maybe not the future franchise QB that the Jets initially thought he would go on to be. At times, it seems that the suffering will never end for the Jets. When it comes to quarterbacks, especially, it would seem that the organization is stuck in limbo. The Jets see Rodgers as a possible way out of this purgatory situation, and believe he would be perfect as their QB1. Sources claim that Jets GM Joe Douglas has stated the organization will go “all out” for Rodgers this offseason. The team also has released that they do not plan on completely moving on from Zach Wilson just yet. So, if a trade is to happen, it seems that Wilson will not be a part of the package. 

Jets Move on from LaFleur 

What also needs to be talked about is how the Jets have recently acquired Nathaniel Hackett as their new Offensive Coordinator. Hackett was formerly OC for the Green Bay Packers from 2019-2021, and has even received public praise from Rodgers on how good the man was at his job. Many speculate that the Jets' hiring of Hackett was heavily influenced by their QB search and desire to trade for Rodgers. People believe the organization is using it as a way to lure Rodgers in and up their chances to acquire the QB veteran. It seems that the Jets, especially being in ‘win-now’ mode, are fully prepared to do whatever it may take to add Rodgers to their roster. However, it does also seem that the Raiders organization is on the same page. Both teams are desperate for a new veteran QB1, so seeing how this trade situation turns out will be interesting, to say the least.  

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

Back to Sports News by Broad and Market