The rumors are bubbling about a potential New York Jets–Green Bay Packers blockbuster trade for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Gang Green cornerback Sauce Gardner said during a January 27 appearance on ESPN Radio’s “Harry & Fitz” that he “wouldn’t mind” having Rodgers on the team.
“I mean, he’s definitely great. He’s definitely elite,” he said. “He has been doing it, dang, before I was even born. He is a great quarterback, for sure.”
Cohost Harry Douglas asked Gardner if he would want him on his team.
“I mean, I wouldn’t mind that,” Gardner said. “I just want what’s best for the offense but at the same time, I just want what’s best for the offense. At the same time, I just got to focus on my job and focus on what we got going on the defensive side.”
Rodgers, 39, is finishing up the first year of a three-year extension worth over $150 million. He has been noncommittal about whether he will return to the Packers next year, saying on the January 24 episode of “The Pat McAfee Show” that the first thing he has to do is decide whether to play at all.
“All the other ideas about [a] trade and whatnot, that’s all conjecture until I decide what I want to do moving forward for myself,” Rodgers told McAfee.
#Jets CB Ahmad Gardner (@iamSauceGardner) said he ‘wouldn’t mind’ if #Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) was on his team, ‘I just want what’s best for the offense’ 👀: 🎥 @ESPNRadio #TakeFlight #GoPackGo @HDouglas83 @jasonfitz
Betting Odds Have Shifted Dramatically on Aaron Rodgers’ Next Location
The odds of Rodgers getting traded to the Jets shifted dramatically on January 25, when the odds that he would be New York’s Week 1 starter improved from +750 to +350, according to Odds Checker.
The odds improved even more in the wake of the January 26 news that the Jets had hired Nathaniel Hackett to be their new offensive coordinator, replacing Mike LaFleur, who mutually parted ways with the Jets on January 11. Hackett was the Packers’ offensive coordinator from 2019-2021, a time during which Rodgers won back-to-back league MVP awards.
Those odds increased to +175 at Odds Checker.
MAJOR LINE SHIFT: #Jets odds to land Aaron Rodgers shifted from +750 to +350. Meanwhile, their odds of landing Derek Carr dropped from +250 to +350. Meaning Carr & Rodgers are now co-favorites to become #TakeFlight Week 1 starter, per @oddschecker. #GoPackGo #RaiderNation
Rodgers put up unbelievable numbers during his three-year run with Hackett, including: 67.2% completion percentage, 12,416 passing yards and 111 passing touchdowns to 13 interceptions.
It’s time to rock and roll baby.
With the Nathaniel Hackett hire now official the #Jets are now +175 to land #Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, per @oddschecker. 📈📈📈
Aaron Rodgers Could Open the Championship Window for the Jets
Some have argued that if the Jets would have had below-average quarterback play they would have made the playoffs last season.
The team ended up playing four different guys and none of them proved effective enough for a variety of reasons.
Rodgers is unquestionably one of the best quarterbacks of this generation, a former Super Bowl champion, and has put up Pro Football Hall of Fame-type numbers during his long career to date.
ESPN media personality Stephen A Smith went as far to say that if the Jets land Rodgers, “they could win it all” on First Take. “I’m telling you right now the Jets have a chance now.”
When he’s right… HE IS RIGHT: @stephenasmith said if #Packers QB @AaronRodgers12 went to the #Jets ‘they could win it all’ 😈👀🔥 ‘I’m telling you right now #TakeFlight has a chance now’: 🎥 @FirstTake #GoPackGo
Just because the Jets have hired Hackett that doesn’t necessarily mean they will land Rodgers. The Packers have to agree to trade him. Rodgers has to commit to playing football and not retiring. The Jets have to agree to trade terms with the Packers to bring him in.
There are a ton of variables for a potential trade to come to fruition. However, with Hackett in the fold and the Jets’ obvious need at the quarterback position and the pressure that everyone is under to win now, if you squint you can see this eventually happening this offseason.
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Sauce Gardner Breaks Silence on Jets’ Pursuit of Aaron Rodgers