What The Jets’ Trip To California Means For Aaron Rodgers

Maybe Woody Johnson really wanted to check out Disneyland.

In one of the most conspicuous recruiting trips in recent memory, the New York Jets’ mass pilgrimage to California, one that included the team owner, head coach Robert Saleh, GM Joe Douglas and OC Nathaniel Hackett, is a blatant sign that the front office heads in East Rutherford need Aaron Rodgers more than he needs them. The Jets reportedly feel more confident now that they can land the quarterback through a trade with the Green Bay Packers.

“As the Jets internally are working under an optimism that this will happen, the Jets and the Packers remain engaged in conversations about compensation and contract, sources said. Those conversation already started before the meeting,” ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported via Twitter.

Rodgers’ offseason antics have made for a very sensational story, one that seems to grow in strength with each passing day.

Ayahuasca revelations and Green Bay tensions somehow became background noise when a darkness retreat took center stage, seemingly offering all the answers. Experts on television have taken guesses and social media users have prognosticated, but Rodgers has remained silent.

At the center of this whirlwind kicked up by intensifying rumors and hearsay, Rodgers has a very serious professional decision to make, one that will affect his life in innumerable ways while also deeply impacting the lives of countless individuals around him. No matter what you think of the process, you have to admit he’s trying everything to find the way forward.

Though Rodgers has remained silent for the most part, his path has cleared somewhat in the past few months anyway. Remaining with the Packers has reportedly become more unfeasible while rumors of a departure to Las Vegas have died down significantly, despite the Raiders’ decision to part with Derek Carr last month. For Green Bay’s 39-year-old passer, the decision seems to be whittled down to New York or retirement.

The Jets have obviously put out all the stops to land Rodgers and have ramped up efforts even further after Carr signed with New Orleans. Signing Hackett, Rodgers’ former offensive coordinator, was an obvious attempt to woo him, and the young offensive stars on New York’s roster speak for themselves. If Rodgers were to continue his career anywhere, an opportunity to play with the likes of Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall would be more tempting than most.

But for all the travel miles, confident interviews and trade negotiations with Green Bay, the Jets’ future at quarterback still comes down to Rodgers’ decision. With quarterbacks flying off the board every week, an intense focus on Rodgers at this point is becoming both risky and necessary. Unlike their prospective quarterback, the Jets aren’t blessed with many options.

Article by Patrick Moquin