Getty Image / Stacy Revere
Football fans continue to wait for Aaron Rodgers to actually be traded to the New York Jets after months of rumors.
While that wait continues, it seems the lack of a trade hasn’t stopped Rodgers from trying to shape the roster he’ll be surrounded by if he actually does end up with the Jets.
There had been rumors in the past about him giving the Jets a list of players he wanted them to acquire. That rumored list included Allen Lazard, who they actually went out and got.
The Jets have even brought in his former offensive coordinator and backup quarterback as they prepare for his arrival.
Now it appears he was doing a bit of recruiting for the team he has still yet to join.
Former All-Pro defensive end Calais Campbell spoke to NFL insider Josina Anderson today and revealed that Rodgers had texted him about teaming up as members of the New York Jets.
S2e39 New #Falcons DL @CalaisCampbell
–Calais reveals the Jets "made almost an equal offer as the Atlanta Falcons" & he STILL chose ATL.
Wait,What? Why? There's always more to the story.
–The text from Aaron Rodgers
–My latest on Lamar Jackson
P: https://t.co/cb8zwjCsHH pic.twitter.com/u4SZnrodSl
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 20, 2023
Campbell added that he ended up signing with the Atlanta Falcons instead despite the fact that the Jets had made him a similar offer.
Adding Campbell could have made one of the NFL’s best defenses even more intimidating. Last season, the Jets allowed the league’s 4th least points and also racked up its 7th most sacks.
Calais Campbell may no longer be the nightmare on the edge that he once was, but he can absolutely still contribute. Last year he collected 5.5 sacks as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
Now he’ll head to Atlanta to try and help out a defense that had the league’s second least sacks last year.
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers will have to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements.