The New York Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers after two issues turned obvious. First, that former quantity two total choice Zach Wilson was not a viable starter, and second, that Rodgers was obtainable. They instantly started specializing in him as their new quarterback.
Nevertheless, that commerce took a very long time and to imagine the Jets did not even look into different choices can be silly. GM Joe Douglas most likely inquired about everybody that was probably obtainable. Apparently, that included Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
,
In line with CBS Sports activities’ Cody Benjamin, the Jets had a really brief checklist of commerce targets and Stafford was on it:
“The Jets had their sights set on new quarterback Aaron Rodgers early within the 2023 NFL offseason. However the former Packers nice wasn’t the one notable title to garner consideration from the group. Earlier than free company, Jets brass evaluated 19 totally different veteran choices to exchange Zach Wilson, in keeping with SNY, and briefly narrowed an inventory of commerce targets to incorporate the Rams’ Matthew Stafford.”
The tier of quarterbacks they needed to maneuver for had been those they felt gave them an opportunity on the Tremendous Bowl. That solely included Rodgers, Stafford, and Lamar Jackson.
When Jackson seemed to be too tough to land, the Jets workplace moved on and ended up buying and selling for Aaron Rodgers. That was most likely probably the greatest strikes they may have made.
Why Aaron Rodgers made essentially the most sense for the Jets
Matthew Stafford does not have a clear invoice of well being. He suffered a debilitating damage final season and reportedly mulled retirement. That is not who a brand new group would wish to pin their Tremendous Bowl desires on.
The Jets regarded into Matthew Stafford
Lamar Jackson would have price approach an excessive amount of and the Jets offense is so in contrast to what Jackson has run that the personnel might need needed to change considerably. The playbook might need too.
Rodgers can slide in and play an analogous offense that he ran final yr, however way more successfully. He is not the perfect quarterback of the trio anymore attributable to age and different components, however he is nonetheless efficient and made essentially the most sense.