Getty Aaron Rodgers, formerly of the Green Bay Packers.
The Green Bay Packers eventually traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets after weeks of drama, but now it is being reported that a second team was interested in trading for the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
FS1’s Craig Carton said on the June 14 episode of “The Carton Show” that the New England Patriots were another team attempting to trade for Rodgers during the early weeks of the NFL offseason. Carton reported that Rodgers’ agent told the team that he didn’t want to play for New England.
Rodgers’ announced on March 15 on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he intended to play for the Jets, the two sides spent weeks negotiating before agreeing to a trade that sent multiple draft picks to Green Bay.
The Patriots have had issues finding a long-term quarterback since Tom Brady left after the 2019 season, and although third-year quarterback Mac Jones showed flashes as a rookie in 2021, he didn’t look like the same player in 2022. Rodgers would have instantly made New England a much more interesting contender, but he said he was more interested in playing for their AFC East rival.
Latest on Aaron Rodgers
While Rodgers is out on the town, attending New York Knicks games and Taylor Swift concerts, the superstar quarterback is also in the spotlight out on the football field.
Unlike in recent years with the Packers, Rodgers has been present for offeseason workouts with the Jets as he familiarizes himself with his new teammates. However, some of his “new” teammates are actually former ones in Green Bay, most notably Allen Lazard, who signed a $44 million contract before Rodgers was officially traded to New York.
Rodgers did have a slight injury scare early in OTAs, tweaking his calf during one day of practice. However, the tweak didn’t impact his availability, and he eventually returned to the field.
Despite leaving Green Bay, the former Packers quarterback still took some time to send a message to rookie QB Sean Clifford. The fifth-round pick by the Packers received a video message from the four-time MVP to welcome him to Green Bay, with Rodgers even poking fun at him for taking his locker.
It will still take some time for Packers fans to adjust to football without Rodgers under center, but it seems Rodgers harbors little ill will toward Green Bay fans or the organization.
Is Jordan Love Ready to Take Over?
No player in Green Bay has more pressure on them heading into 2023 than Jordan Love, but so far it appears that his teammates have the utmost confidence in the 24-year-old quarterback.
Earlier in the offseason, running back Aaron Jones praised Love for how he’s presented himself and worked to get to this point as the expected Week 1 starter.
“He did it the right way. He waited his time, and you never heard one peep or complaint out of him,” Jones told reporters on June 16. “We all love Jordan here, and he has everyone’s full respect and we’re all going to go lay it out on the line for him.”
The teammates seem to support Love, and after a brief stint against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12 of last season, he has likely gained some confidence, completing 6 of 9 passes for 113 yard and a touchdown.
