NFL Rumors: Jets need to poke the badger, Russ re-ups Wolverine blood, and JuJu pledges allegiance to his new HC
By Kristen Wong
NFL Rumors: Jets are letting Packers walk all over them in Aaron Rodgers trade saga
Ah, good ol’ New Jersey. Home of two of the biggest underdogs in this year’s NCAA Tournament (and the biggest underdog in last year’s), and also home of the New York Jets.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio thinks the Jets need to channel more of the gritty, bullish attitude that saw Princeton and FDU advance to the second round in March Madness and take the bull – or badger — by the horns.
The Packers brass saying that they were “sworn to secrecy” about the Rodgers situation is not a good look on the Jets, since it would appear that Green Bay holds most of the leverage. As Florio clarifies, they most absolutely do not.
The Jets need to show a little more offense than Zach Wilson’s two yards per passing attempt and lay down the law, gripping those scheming cheeseheads by the ears and finally say enough is enough.
This Rodgers trade is happening, and it’s happening on New York’s terms. What could those terms look like?
Here’s Florio’s solution:
"The Jets should make a non-negotiable offer that will remain open until the 2023 draft. They should tell the Packers that, after the 2023 draft, the non-negotiable offer will pivot to the 2024 draft — and possibly 2025, in the event Rodgers plays in 2024. They should tell the Packers the non-negotiable offer stays on the table until training camp opens."
From the Green Bay Packers‘ standpoint, the franchise owes Rodgers roughly $60 million in fully guaranteed money for 2023, but they can sit back and put their feet up until the NFL Draft, per recent reports. The Jets aren’t in much of a hurry to trade for Rodgers either, yet it’s less a matter of time than it is of principle.
The Jets will not be bullied into giving up a first-round pick for Rodgers just as they will not abide by the Packers’ delusional notions that Green Bay has the upper hand. The Packers have run the Jets on their little hamster wheel long enough. It’s up to New York to make a fair offer, set their own deadline, and close the damn deal.