The rumors have been swirling for weeks. Since the darkness retreat was over. Here’s what we know.
- The Jets signed former Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett
- Aaron Rodgers stated on Pat McAfee’s show that he intends to play for the New York Jets this seaon
- Reports surfaced that Rodgers had a list of players that he’d like the Jets to sign
- The Jets did sign former Packer Allen Lazard to a four-year deal. They also signed former Chief Mecole Hardman
- The Jets traded Elijah Moore and a third round pick to the Browns for a second round pick (Pick 42)
- The Jets own picks 13, 42 and 43 in the first three rounds
- The rumored compensation that the Packers want is a first round pick, or two second round picks. Possibly a pick escalator from a 2024 second to a first if Rodgers hits some achievable benchmarks and the team has some success (hosts a playoff game, goes to the AFC Championship, etc.)
- The rumored response was that the Jets want some safety in their trade, with a pick kicker coming to the Jets if Rodgers were to retire after the 2023 season. As in, the Packers would then owe the Jets a draft pick in 2024 or 2025 if Rodgers hangs it up.
What does this all mean for the Packers?
Rodgers is done in Green Bay. There’s no repairing this relationship. Packers president Mark Murphy and Rodgers have both made it apparent through the media, that they are separated, the divorce just is not final. Aaron will get visitation to Lambeau when he’s inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame.
Jordan Love is going to be under center for 2023, so the team can decide if they want to pick up his fifth-year option. It’s reasonable for the team to do this.
The offense should change significantly. Losing Rodgers, Davante Adams, Robert Tonyan and Lazard over the last two off-seasons, will certainly give this offense a new look. Losing Adams alone last year seemed to send the offense into a slight downturn.
Aaron Jones took a paycut to stay in Green Bay, and appears to be the absolute focal point of this offense. With Lazard gone, it frees up Christian Watson to be the unquestioned number one, and Romeo Doubs is likely the WR2.
What does this all mean for the Jets?
The time is now. The Jets think they’re a few pieces away from challenging for the AFC crown, in one of the toughest conferences in recent memory. They’ll have to beat two of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow, not to mention Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence (and hey, maybe Lamar Jackson) are looming. And that’s just to make it to the Super Bowl.
Odell Beckham has been rumored to the Jets as well as Ezekiel Elliott, which would give them a very deep, but somewhat old team at the skill positions. The Jets still have Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis, Lazard and Hardman at WR. As well as Breece Hall, Zonovan Knight and Michael Carter at RB.
If Rodgers, Beckham and Zeke all show up, depth certainly wouldn’t be a problem. But would that be too many mouths to feed from a fantasy perspective?