Aaron Rodgers' pending Jets trade already being labeled a disaster as Packers play chicken with NY
Aaron Rodgers seems to be one signature away from leaving his home of nearly 10 years and moving to the Big Apple. However, even before pen has been put to paper, one NFL analyst has already prepared himself for a Russell Wilson-sized catastrophe on the east coast.
Speaking on ESPN's "First Things First," analyst Nick Wright explained his thinking process:
"I think this is going to be a disaster… I think this is a spot where the [New York] Jets... have not had consecutive seasons of good quarterbacking since Joe Namath. Last year… we had the three worst quarterbacks in the league and now [they] can get Aaron Rodgers."
Will Aaron Rodgers reach the playoffs in 2023?
Wright continued by claiming that Rodgers was among the reasons why the Green Bay Packers missed the playoffs in 2023:
"Of course, [they] want Aaron Rodgers, but I don't think it tangibly moves the needle for them... It didn't appear like he is all of a sudden going to be all in on doing the requisite things he would need to do to have a better season than last year, when last year one of the reasons the Packers missed the playoffs was [due to the] quarterback."
Aaron Rodgers waves goodbye to Green Bay Packers on Pat McAfee Show
In a broadcast that nearly half a million people watched live, Rodgers was as frank about his plans for 2023 as he's been in his career. The biggest takeaway from the conversation was that he intended to play for the the New York Jets next season.
The announcement comes after an unconventional 2022 season in which the Packers started strong, hit a wall, and rallied late. Green Bay started 3-1, fell to 4-8, and clawed back to 8-8 with one game to play.
The Detroit Lions, also 8-8 and riding a win streak, knocked the Packers out of the playoffs in the final game of the 2022 regular season. In what is increasingly likely to be his final time walking off the field for Green Bay, Rodgers put an arm around Randall Cobb, one of his long-time teammates, and strolled into the locker room.
If any of the above quotes are used, please credit First Things First and H/T Sportskeeda.