In the 2023 NFL offseason, the New York Jets aggressively pursued 4 time MVP Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had requested a trade from Green Bay following a disappointing postseason campaign. The Jets trade a 1st rounder, 2 second rounders, and a 6th round selection for Rodgers, which was actually considered a bit of an underpay at the time. That, paired with a promising young receiver in Garret Wilson, brought genuine hope to the green side of MetLife for the first time in years.
Rodgers trotted out with the team in the Primetime slot in Week 1, where he promptly got injured in 3 plays. Rumors came and went that he might be able to return later in the season (should they be on track to make the playoffs), but the team ultimately rode with former #2 pick Zach Wilson the rest of the way -- until his benching late in the season. In that offseason, they traded away Wilson to the Broncos, and moved forward with Aaron Rodgers, looking forward to a fully healthy season, this team with a top tier RB in Breece Hall, who was also coming off of a season ending injury.
The start of their 2024-25 campaign, though underwhelming, left a little bit of hope. Rodgers looked solid, though he had certainly lost a step. After WR Davante Adams was released by the Raiders in the middle of the season, the Jets sprung to pick him up and reunite the QB-WR duo from Green Bay. Even with that pairing, they were unable to capitalize and struggled even more throughout the rest of the season. At 41 years old, it became increasingly clear that Aaron Rodgers was not the answer, and the team informed him that they would look for new options for the next year. Though short, it will be looked back on as one of the more disappointing moves in Jets history, especially considering the picks and money they gave up to get him.
Eli Knight
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