Aaron Rodgers changing number with Jets despite Joe Namath’s blessing

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was finally traded to the New York Jets, but he will be changing his number, despite getting a blessing from Joe Namath.

On March 15, quarterback Aaron Rodgers announced that he intended to play for the New York Jets. After over a month of posturing between the Jets and the Green Bay Packers, they finally agreed to terms on a trade on April 24. Going to the Jets is Rodgers, the 15th-overall pick and a fifth-round pick this year, while the Packers receive the 13th overall pick, a 2023 second-round pick, a 2023 sixth-round pick and a conditional second-round pick in 2024 that could become a first-rounder if Rodgers plays in 65 percent of the plays.

With Jets fans now rejoicing that they finally have a legitimate quarterback, they probably want to know what number he will wear for his new team.

Back in January, legendary Jets quarterback Joe Namath appeared on WFAN’s “Tiki and Tierney Show” and gave his blessing for Rodgers to wear his No. 12.

But will he wear it?

Will Aaron Rodgers wear No. 12 with the Jets?

ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted out that while Namath gave his blessing for Rodgers to wear the No. 12, the former Packers quarterback is expected to wear the No. 8.

Why is Aaron Rodgers wearing No. 8 with Jets?

Rodgers is expected to wear the No. 8 because that is the number he wore when he played college football for the California Golden Bears.

In his two years with the Golden Bears, Rodgers threw for 5,469 yards, 43 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while completing 63.8 percent of his passes.

Rodgers declared for the 2005 NFL Draft, and was the favorite to be selected first overall by the San Francisco 49ers. Instead, they selected Alex Smith out of Utah. That then began his much talked about free fall down the draft board, and he was the final player left in the green room of the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. His fall ended with the 24th overall pick, and the Packers selected him. Once becoming a Packer, Rodgers switched his number to 12.

So Jets fans, if you are planning on buying a Rodgers jersey, it appears that it will be the No. 8. Best bet is to wait until his introductory press conference to see what number will be on the jersey he’s presented by the team.