Aaron Rodgers desires to play for Jets, rips Packers for communication
As if Aaron Rodgers’ inextricable linkage to Brett Favre wasn’t pronounced sufficient, their soccer parallels proceed to develop.
Showing on “The Pat McAfee Present,” Wednesday, Rodgers revealed his intention to proceed enjoying soccer in 2023 – and with the New York Jets.
The four-time league MVP mentioned he arrived at that conclusion final Friday deciding, “(M)y intention was to play for the New York Jets. I have not held something up at this level. It is simply compensation that the Packers try to get.”
Coincidentally or not, Rodgers’ interview nearly precisely coincided with the opening of the NFL’s 2023 free agent market, new signings and trades in a position to formally be executed at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday.
Rodgers, who succeeded Favre as Inexperienced Bay’s starter in 2008, is now ready for a deal to be consummated so as to pursue one other championship. Sarcastically, the Packers dealt three-time league MVP Favre to the Jets 15 years to make approach for Rodgers.
In the meantime, the Pack will now presumably attempt to reset with 2020 first-round choose Jordan Love behind middle.
“They wish to transfer, and so do I,” mentioned Rodgers.
After receiving permission to talk with the Jets, he met with group brass in California final week. Rodgers mentioned, “We had a pleasant dialog,” and indicated the groups try to hammer out the parameters of a commerce framework, however that the Packers are holding up the method.
Rodgers additionally expounded on his well-publicized “darkness retreat” final month. He mentioned going into the expertise, he was 90% positive he would retire this offseason.
“The darkness gave me a whole lot of time to ponder all the things,” Rodgers mentioned from his Southern California house, explaining he craved the isolation after finishing his 18th season – one through which the Packers got here up one win wanting the playoffs after a belated push following their 4-8 begin in 2022.
However he added that when he emerged, he realized that the one franchise he is performed for was apparently extra all in favour of transferring on from him then he felt like they’d beforehand let on, a flip that apparently spurred his want to proceed enjoying.
“I am actually grateful for that point within the darkness,” he mentioned.
Rodgers additionally refuted an ESPN report that he’d offered a listing of gamers, together with Odell Beckham Jr. and shut pal Randall Cobb, he needed the Jets to try to signal.
An NFL legend
A four-time league MVP recipient (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021), Rodgers trails solely Corridor of Famer Peyton Manning, who gained 5, in that division. Rodgers was additionally the MVP of Tremendous Bowl 45, when he handed for 304 yards and three touchdowns throughout his solely look on Tremendous Sunday. His 103.6 regular-season passer score ranks second all-time to Patrick Mahomes (105.7).
A Packers legend
Rodgers’ 475 regular-season TD passes are essentially the most in Inexperienced Bay historical past and 33 shy of Favre for fourth place on the all-time NFL record. Rodgers completed the 2022 season 2,600 yards and 13 wins wanting matching Favre’s Pack marks. Nonetheless each solely gained a single Lombardi Trophy for the NFL’s winningest franchise, although Favre led the franchise to each Tremendous Bowl 31, a victory, and a slender loss to the Denver Broncos in Tremendous Bowl 32.
Poor within the postseason
Whereas Rodgers has confirmed himself one of many biggest and most proficient quarterbacks in regular-season historical past, his relative lack of success within the playoffs relegates him a tier beneath the likes of Tom Brady, Joe Montana and even two-time Tremendous Bowl MVP Mahomes. Rodgers’ 45 profession postseason TD passes are yet one more than Favre and tied with Montana for second most all-time … behind Brady’s 88. Rodgers’ 11-10 file in playoff video games contains 4 losses within the NFC championship sport.
Inauspicious begin
This spring will mark 18 years since Rodgers was chosen twenty fourth total by the Packers within the 2005 draft. The Northern California native, projected that 12 months as a possible No. 1 choose by the San Francisco 49ers – they picked Utah quarterback Alex Smith as a substitute – infamously waited for hours within the inexperienced room, handed over one other 22 instances earlier than Inexperienced Bay ended his free fall … solely so he may sit behind Favre for the subsequent three seasons.
Future in flux
Like Favre, Rodgers overtly contemplated his soccer future through the latter stage of his profession. Love’s choice within the 2020 draft appeared to spark a Rodgers resurgence after what was – by his requirements – a subpar stretch of seasons from 2017 to 2019. Towards the tip of the 2020 marketing campaign, when Rodgers earned his third MVP trophy, he mentioned: “My future is an exquisite thriller.” He skipped the membership’s 2021 offseason however returned for coaching camp and launched into his fourth MVP effort. Final 12 months, he agreed to a three-year, $151 million extension however nonetheless skipped most of an offseason that included the departure Adams.
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Comply with USA TODAY Sports activities’ Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.
