NFL rumors: Jets remain diligent in acquiring Aaron Rodgers’ friends

The NY Jets remain committed to signing Aaron Rodgers’ friend and free agent Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason.

Another New York team may have taken themselves out of the running for Odell Beckham Jr., but the New York Jets are still very much in the race.

As the Jets and Packers inch closer and closer to an Aaron Rodgers trade, rumors continue to swirl around the ideal landing spot for one of Rodgers’ good buddies, OBJ.

Beckham has been on the free agent market ever since he was released by the Los Angeles Rams last offseason, and his stock has risen lately thanks to Rodgers name-dropping him as one of the wide receivers he’d love to play with in 2023.

The whole Rodgers’ wish list rumor has been properly debunked — Rodgers said earlier this week on The Pat McAfee Show that the idea of a wish list of desired players was “ridiculous.” He nonetheless made some fine compliments about Beckham, who remains one of the top free agent wideouts this offseason and could make a decision on his future soon.

Per various reports, Beckham’s asking price is around $20 million a year, definitely on the steep side considering he has gone through two ACL injuries.

All things considered, the Jets are still staying in touch with Beckham according to ESPN’s Diana Russini (who happens to be the same person who leaked Rodgers’ proposed wish list):

NFL Rumors: NY Jets remain interested in Odell Beckham Jr. to pair with Aaron Rodgers

The other players on the so-called list include Allen Lazard, who has already finalized a deal with the Jets, Randall Cobb, and Marcedes Lewis.

After Rodgers announced his intention to play with the Jets in 2023, New York no longer has to try so hard to lure him away from the Green Bay Packers. The much more pressing issue is how much draft capital the Jets will have to give up to Green Bay to obtain Rodgers, and at the moment, each franchise has about the same amount of leverage.

With Rodgers already under wraps for 2023, signing a veteran pass-catching threat like OBJ would just be the cherry on top. His high asking price may be too much for the Giants to afford, yet if the Jets are serious about this season being an “all-in” year, nabbing Beckham would make their offense one of the best in the league.

Beckham’s final destinations may have narrowed down to the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and a few other stragglers, though no one can predict exactly where he’ll land in 2023.