New York Jets Anticipate Enhanced Prospects; Aaron Rodgers Delays Retirement Decision
NFL veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed on "The Pat McAfee Show" podcast his desire to suit up for the New York Jets this season, alleging that Green Bay is hindering a trade during ongoing negotiations. With the Jets on the brink of acquiring Rodgers, their Super Bowl chances have jumped to +1400.
At 39 years old, Rodgers has devoted his entire career to the Packers after they selected him with a late first-round pick from California in the 2005 NFL Draft. He served as Brett Favre's backup for his first three seasons in the league and finally started for the Packers in the 2008 season.
In the last 15 years as the Packers' starting QB, Rodgers amassed a regular-season record of 147-75-1 and a playoff record of 12-10. Rodgers earned four MVP awards in 2011, 2014, 2020, and 2021. He led the 2010 Packers to a Super Bowl victory and was named Super Bowl MVP.
Previously, the Jets recruited former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to lead their offense. Hackett was the OC during Rodgers' MVP seasons in 2020 and 2021, guiding the Packers to 13 wins in both seasons.
The Jets last played in the postseason in 2010. Superstar quarterback Joe Namath led the 1968-1969 Jets to a historic upset victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, a win that revolutionized the NFL. Since then, the Jets have advanced to the AFC Championship only four times and haven't returned to the Super Bowl.
Under head coach Rex Ryan, the Jets made back-to-back AFC championship games in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Mark Sanchez, famous for the infamous "butt fumble," was the Jets' quarterback during their last playoff runs. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Jets in the 2009 AFC championship, and the Jets missed out to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2010 AFC championship.
Although the Jets ended the 2022 season with a 7-10 record under head coach Robert Saleh, they flaunted one of the league's best defenses and promising young talent. Cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson earned Defensive Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, respectively.
Initially, the Jets were +2000 odds for Super Bowl LVIII. With rumors swirling about a potential Rodgers swap, their odds improved to +1700 last week. Now, they stand at +1400, tying them with the Dallas Cowboys for sixth on the betting board, behind the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cincinnati Bengals.
In AFC Championship odds, the Jets are +800, positioning them fourth on the board behind the Chiefs, Bills, and Bengals. In AFC East odds, the Bills are the favorites to win the division at +135 odds. The Jets are second on the board at +200 and ahead of the Miami Dolphins (+360) and New England Patriots (+800).
A "make the playoffs" prop bet is available at DraftKings, with the Jets currently at -160 odds to qualify for the postseason. If you're feeling brave, you can get +135 odds on the Jets missing the playoffs.
The Jets' current win total is set at 9.5 over/under, with the over receiving -130 odds and the under getting +110.
According to Rodgers, he was 90% sure he'd retired before embarking on a five-day retreat in southern Oregon. But after learning the Packers were conducting trade negotiations, he delayed retirement and firmly decided to play again last Friday.
Rodgers often appears on "The Pat McAfee Show." Almost 400,000 viewers witnessed the live stream on YouTube, waiting to hear Rodgers announce his retirement.
"I made it clear that my intention was to play and to play for the New York Jets, and I havenβt been holding anything up," Rodgers told McAfee. "It's the compensation that the Packers are trying to get. The Packers want to move on, and they've told me that much in no uncertain terms."
The Squad Desire List
Rodgers chuckled at the allegations that he demanded the Jets bring his preferred players and ex-colleagues on board before joining their ranks. He acknowledged chatting with the Jets about some players, yet there was never a "list" requesting wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, along with tight end Mercedes Lewis.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. graced headlines on this purported list. Beckham clinched a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams two seasons back but suffered a torn ACL in Super Bowl LVI. He sat out the entire previous season as he recuperated from his second severe knee injury. Rodgers dismissed the report stating he forced the Jets to sign Beckham but admitted that the guy's talent is such that any team would be stupid not to ponder over him.
"Who wouldn't want Odell on their team?" said Rodgers.
The Jets inked Lazard to a four-year pact worth $44 million during the week, generating buzz that they were on the verge of securing Rodgers in a trade.
Lazard and Rodgers shared a strong bond during Lazard's five seasons with the Packers. In 57 games, Lazard reeled in 169 catches and 20 touchdowns with the Packers.
