Is Aaron Rodgers New York bound? Jets are ‘optimistic’ about acquiring Packers quarterback

The New York Jets brass think they’re on ‘the brink’ of acquiring four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.

Owner Woody Johnson and front office staff spoke with the Green Bay Packers quarterback in his native California this week, and while there was optimism before the trip that they could convince Rodgers to embrace a move to New York, the Jets are now more confident following the meeting.

On Twitter, Russini explained that ‘Johnson left the meeting excited and satisfied about the potential match.’

The Jets are Packers were already discussing a trade for the 39-year-old Rodgers before this week’s meeting, and are continuing to talk, according to Russini.

Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett flew to California on Tuesday to with Rodgers, ESPN reported earlier in the week. 

The New York Jets brass think they’re on the brink of acquiring four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini

Jets owner Woody Johnson (right), general manager Joe Douglas (left), head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett flew to California on Tuesday to with Rodgers, ESPN reported earlier in the week

Rodgers has not made any career decisions since emerging from a four-day darkness retreat in the Oregon wilderness, where he was expected to contemplate his next move, be it retirement, forcing a trade, or another season in Green Bay.

The Jets appear motivated to make a deal after missing out on free agent quarterback Derek Carr, who agreed to a four-year, $150 million contract with the New Orleans Saints on Monday. The former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback had been considered a viable option for the Jets, who are rumored to be interested in replacing struggling starter Zach Wilson with a more experienced veteran.

Meanwhile, Jets players have seemingly forgotten all about Wilson as they took to social media to beg Rodgers to come to New York. 

Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner and running back Breece Hall didn’t make the trip out west, but they did make their sales pitches on social media. 

Gardner directly mentioned Rodgers on Twitter, telling him: ‘I promise if you become a Jet, I won’t pick you off in practice’ and promising to burn the cheesehead hat that he wore in Green Bay last season when the Jets caused a 27-10 upset of the Packers at Lambeau Field.

Hall, similarly, sounded excited at the prospect of playing with Rodgers. 

‘Don’t mind me…Just manifesting @Aaron Rodgers,’ the 21-year-old running back tweeted. 

Jets CB Sauce Gardner & RB Breece Hall are pitching for Aaron Rodgers to move to New York

The declining Packers fell to 8-9 last season, and appear in need of a rebuild that could be helped by trading Rodgers and his remaining salary.

Rodgers has $108.8 million remaining on his current contract, which runs through 2026, although that season and 2025 are considered ‘dummy’ years which are only on the books for salary cap purposes.

His deal is fully guaranteed for $59.5 million this season, most of which comes in the form of a bonus before the start of the regular season, according to ESPN.

But the Jets wouldn’t necessarily be hurting for cap space if they acquired him, because Rodgers’ bonus was prorated over his ongoing three-year contract. In total, he would count for $15.8 million against his team’s salary cap in 2023 and $32.5 million for 2024, according to ESPN.

The Packers, meanwhile, would still carry $40.3 million from Rodgers’ 2023 salary on their books in the event he does get traded. That’s a whopping 18 percent of the $224.8 million NFL salary cap for this year.

The Jets are coming off a 7-10 season, in which they boasted the fifth-ranked defense, as well as the offensive and defensive Rookies of the Year in receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner. 

The biggest areas of concern for coach Robert Saleh’s team were along the offensive line and at quarterback, where Zach Wilson finished 34th in the NFL with a dismal 72.8 quarterback rating. 

Fourth-year quarterback Mike White played well at times, but is also entering free agency and it’s unclear if he’ll return.  

Mike White (left) filled in for the Jets last season when Zach Wilson dropped down the order