Jets’ acquisition of Aaron Rodgers isn’t as simple as it sounds

Ian O’connor

NFL

To Ian O’connor

March 10, 2023 | 11:12 PM

For Jets fans waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make the big move, this is cruel and unusual punishment. Check it out — it’s cruel The usual punishment.

No consumer group in the metropolitan area has experienced more setbacks than those supporting MetLife Stadium’s second tenant. In fact, excruciating delays are part of his plan for his ticket to the Jets season.

So when it comes to muscle memory, hopes raised Friday by Packers president Mark Murphy’s words were also tempered by a past heartbreak. Asked if Rodgers will return to Green Bay for the 2023 season, Murphy said it would only happen “if things don’t go the way we want them to.” We are,” he added. [Rodgers] What we want and what we want and hopefully we can find a win-win situation. ”

Murphy also mentioned Rodgers’ career at Green Bay in the past tense in an interview with WBAY-TV. He pointed out that very few players end up playing for one NFL team alone, and talked about Rodgers being inducted into the Hall of Fame one day. “We will bring him back and retire his number,” Murphy said.

It should be a walk-off touchdown for Jets fans, followed by a football celebratory slam dunk over the crossbar. The four-time league MVP has publicly admitted to keeping his current job only if he effectively coerces his employer to keep him.

Hey, please set up a press conference at Fourham Park and have someone arrange a car service to take Joe Namath there.

However, until further notice, it’s not that simple. Jets couldn’t be simpler.

Rogers clearly knows that too. In October, the Packers quarterback praised Robert Salle’s coaching and Joe Douglas’ roster after his team lost in a home game to the Jets. At the time, Rodgers said, “It’s not the same old jet.”

So a guy who played high school and college ball in California and spent his entire NFL career on an NFC team in Wisconsin knew all about SOJ. In other words, Rogers knows how the New York market and the rest of the league perceive the organization.

Jets fans are designed to care about such things. The team decision maker jumped on Woody Johnson’s jet on Tuesday to fly across the country for his Malibu meeting with Rodgers. ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported that the Jets’ brigade was optimistic enough to believe they were “on the brink” of future Hall of Famers after they were seated.

But as of Friday night, the Jets were still on the brink of something pretty special, or something to be filed under a memorable SOJ moment. Prior to that, we had planned to finish the waiting game late Friday night or sometime this weekend.

Perhaps Rodgers isn’t worried about the legitimacy of the Jets or the woodiness of Woody Johnson. I don’t want to publicly announce his intentions in case he plans to take advantage of his expressed preferences in trade negotiations.

Or maybe Rodgers called a timeout at the 5-yard line and asked himself, “Are you really going to let the New York Jets handle the endgame?”

The Packers would not allow the Jets to speak or meet with Rodgers if they intended to keep Jordan Love on the bench for another year or if Douglas had not yet decided to actually give up any package. I would never have given It will make the trade work.

Best of all, star cornerback Sauce Gardner posted a unique recruiting video of him burning a cheesehead he grabbed at Lambeau Field at a backyard barbecue attended by teammates Garrett Wilson and Bryce Hall. Old Jets, middle-aged Jets, young Jets all want Rodgers.

So what’s the holdup? The Jets have made it clear that they are desperate for a skilled veteran quarterback, and owners have confirmed they are willing to spend big bucks for a veteran quarterback. The team hired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, whom Rodgers actively idolizes.

Still no deal has been made. Jets fans can only hope and pray that nothing will go wrong near the finish line.

Jets fans lead the league. They’ve been doing it since his January 1969.