Aaron Rodgers said he intends to be a New York Jet. As in, a twice-a-year problem for the Patriots.
As in, kiss those automatic two wins a year goodbye.
Since that cat has been out of the bag for quite some time, the news Rodgers provided on “The Pat McAfee Show” Wednesday wasn’t necessarily a surprise.
Technically, it’s not done. There are still details to be worked out. There’s no official trade just yet.
But the Packers want him gone, he wants out of Green Bay, and the Jets are desperate to get him. So barring another team swooping in at the last second, it’s basically done.
Cutting to the chase, this would be — on paper at least — a game-changing move for the Jets. And by extension, a not-so-great development for the Patriots.
The perennial AFC East cellar-dwelling Jets, who are convinced they are a quarterback away from being a legitimate contender, are on the precipice of landing one of the best.
In theory, Rodgers, a Super Bowl winner and one of the most naturally gifted passers in the league, would put them over the top given the cast he now has surrounding him. Along with the cast Rodgers is hoping to bring with him.
The addition of Rodgers would make the Jets a threat to dethrone the Bills atop the division.
The move would also have the Patriots, who finished in third place last season with an 8-9 record, swapping roles with the Jets.
The Patriots would sink to being the worst team in the AFC East. And it wouldn’t be up for debate.
Rodgers would provide that kind of boost to Robert Saleh’s team, even at age 39.
Of course, it’s important to mention he’s coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro.
As it is, the Jets are going through hoops, and embarrassingly so, to try to satisfy his every whim and need. On Tuesday, they reportedly signed wide receiver Allen Lazard, who was one of Rodgers’ favorite targets in Green Bay the past five years.
If and when the deal is finally consummated, the Jets better hope Rodgers doesn’t completely destroy all the good vibes the Jets had in their locker room last season given the infusion of so many good young players.
They also better hope he doesn’t become known as this year’s version of Russell Wilson.
That said, if the Jets ultimately get a motivated Rodgers, one who simply does his job and buries the diva act, that spells trouble for the Patriots, who won’t get to beat up on their perennial punching bag anymore.
The Patriots, who finished in third place behind the Bills and Dolphins last season, haven’t done enough to bolster the team or its chances in the AFC East.
At this point, they just don’t measure up from a talent perspective with the reigning AFC East champion Bills, Jets, and Dolphins, who have made several impactful moves, including the trade for Jalen Ramsey.
At least not yet. There’s still time for the Patriots to get back in the ballgame.
But as it stands right now, the Patriots are looking up at the competition.
In his end-of-season press conference, coach Bill Belichick pointed out the Patriots were one of the “lowest-spending teams” in the league during the past three years. The Patriots won’t compete, and won’t rise out of the gutter if they don’t change that dynamic.
Positionally, the Jets and Bills (Josh Allen) have better quarterbacks than the Patriots, assuming Rodgers to New York becomes official. Mac Jones and Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa are close enough to call it a draw.
Jones regressed last year largely due to not having a legitimate offensive coordinator, but should improve with Bill O’Brien now at the helm. As for Tagovailoa, he improved with a better cast of weapons, namely Tyreek Hill, but his slate of recent head injuries has to be a concern.
The Bills, Jets and Dolphins also have better receivers and better weapons in general on offense. The Jets have the best defense of the lot, with the Patriots, Bills and Dolphins below that.
So Belichick has his work cut out. He still needs to close the talent gap. If the Patriots stand pat, they risk being left in the dust in 2023 and beyond.
Now, as mentioned, Rodgers won’t exactly be a slam-dunk in terms of being the savior in New York. It just depends how motivated he is to prove his detractors wrong, and how well he adapts to a new team, and being under a bigger microscope.
Last year, he wasn’t very good. He didn’t seem very inspired even though Green Bay gave him a new contract. Perhaps, age is also catching up to some degree.
His 26 touchdown passes were a far cry from the 37 he tossed in 2021, and 48 in 2020. He also threw the second-most interceptions (12) he’s had in his career for a single season.
Still, the key is how much Rodgers is invested.
“The X-factor is Rodgers,” NBC analyst Rodney Harrison agreed when asked about the Jets. “Is he going to come to all the mini-camps? Is he going to be part of the team? Or is he going to be a (bleep) like he’s been?”
Time will tell.
Rodgers could very well benefit from being on a team with a good young group of receivers and running backs, along with a top-notch defense. It’s possible he’ll get recharged and won’t necessarily sabotage what the Jets have built.
Said Harrison: “He’s not the same player, but he’s going to get around that young nucleus, and they’re going to make it fun for him again.”
All of which creates a problem for the Patriots, even if it is the Jets.