Jets Players Are Now Openly Entertaining The Idea Of Aaron Rodgers Joining The Team

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You can count Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Sauce Gardner as one of many New Yorkers who would welcome Aaron Rodgers to the Jets with open arms.

Speaking to ESPN Radio on Thursday, Gardner — who is the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year at the NFL Awards following a stellar first season in the league — openly discussed the idea of Rodgers joining the team this offseason.

“He’s definitely great, he’s definitely elite, he’s being doing it for dang near since before I was born, so I can’t discredit nothing that he does. Because I’ve seen him do so many good things. He’s a great quarterback for sure,” Gardner said of Rodgers.

“I mean, you know, I would [want him on the Jets,” Gardner said. “I wouldn’t mind that. I just want what’s best for the offense. But, at the same time, I just got to focus on my job and focus on what we’ve got going on on the defensive side.”

Speculation about the Jets attempting to trade for Rodgers has ramped up in recent days as the team hired Nathaniel Hackett — who was Rodgers’ offensive coordinator when he won consecutive MVP awards in 2020 and 2021 — to be its offensive coordinator.

According to reports, if the Green Bay Packers were to trade the four-time MVP, they would reportedly only consider sending him to an AFC in exchange for “at least two first-round picks.”

Regardless of whether or not it’s Rodgers, Jets head coach Robert Saleh has confirmed that the team will be in the market for a veteran quarterback this offseason. In addition to Rodgers, some signal-callers that will be available are Jimmy Garoppolo, Derek Carr, and Geno Smith. Future Hall of Famer Tom Brady might also be looking for a new team, but he would never sign with his old AFC East foes.

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