NY Jets targetted Super Bowl-winning quarterback before landing Aaron Rodgers

The New York Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers after two issues grew to become obvious. First, that former quantity two general choice Zach Wilson was not a viable starter, and second, that Rodgers was obtainable. They instantly started specializing in him as their new quarterback.

However, that commerce took a very long time and to imagine the Jets did not even look into different choices could be silly. GM Joe Douglas in all probability inquired about everybody that was probably obtainable. Apparently, that included Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

According to CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin, the Jets had a really quick record of commerce targets and Stafford was on it:

“The Jets had their sights set on new quarterback Aaron Rodgers early in the 2023 NFL offseason. But the former Packers great wasn’t the only notable name to garner consideration from the team. Before free agency, Jets brass evaluated 19 different veteran options to replace Zach Wilson, according to SNY, and briefly narrowed a list of trade targets to include the Rams’ Matthew Stafford.”

The tier of quarterbacks they needed to maneuver for have been ones they felt gave them an opportunity on the Super Bowl. That solely included Rodgers, Stafford, and Lamar Jackson.

When Jackson seemed to be too troublesome to land, the Jets workplace moved on and ended up buying and selling for Aaron Rodgers. That was in all probability top-of-the-line strikes they might have made.

Why Aaron Rodgers made essentially the most sense for the Jets

Matthew Stafford doesn’t have a clear invoice of well being. He suffered a debilitating harm final season and reportedly mulled retirement. That’s not who a brand new group would need to pin their Super Bowl desires on.

Lamar Jackson would have value manner an excessive amount of and the Jets offense is so not like what Jackson has run that the personnel may need needed to change considerably. The playbook may need too.

Rodgers can slide in and play an identical offense that they ran final yr, however much more successfully. He’s not the perfect quarterback of the trio anymore on account of age and different elements, however he is nonetheless efficient and made essentially the most sense.