This entire Aaron Rodgers situation with the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets is now completely out of hand.
Rodgers, 39, is deciding between playing for the Jets or retiring. He had entered a darkness retreat last month to help him make a decision. Upon returning, Rodgers made it clear that he didn’t want to drag this situation on further and impact what either team was able to do in NFL free agency.
About that? The NFL free-agent tampering period got going over 24 hours ago and Rodgers has yet to make a decision. Neither the Jets or Packers have added anyone of substance on the open market, meaning that they are being held up as Rodgers makes a decision about his future.
Now, with less than 24 hours to go before the start of the new league year, we have another report on the situation. It’s about as ridiculous as it gets.
According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, Rodgers has provided the Jets with a wish list of free agents he would like them to target and sign. That includes former teammates Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Marcedes Lewis. The report also indicates that Aaron Rodgers wants the Jets to target top free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
How much does Rodgers want New York to cater to him before he makes a final decision? When will the Jets simply say, it’s not happening?
We get it. Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP and future first ballot Hall of Famer. He’d likely head to New York as the Jets’ best quarterback since the days of Joe Namath. That’s all fine and dandy.
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But we’re talking about a multi-billion-dollar NFL franchise. Can the Jets really justify being held hostage by some ridiculous demands? How exactly would the dynamics look in the Jets’ locker room if Rodgers was playing some sort of quasi general manager role? Wouldn’t teammates be looking at him cross-eyed to an extent?
Jokes were being made on social media as this entire Aaron Rodgers thing played out. But it’s not a laughing matter. Two teams are being held hostage due to the ever-growing ego of one man. Rodgers is out here thinking he’s the football version of a deity. Perhaps, the Jets’ savior.
We know that Jets owner Woody Johnson wants to add Rodgers to the mix. He’s made that clear more than one time. But at what cost? Outside of the first-round pick and change the New York Jets are willing to send to Green Bay, Rodgers’ recent demands could make the organization look bad should they be met.
At the very least, it does seem like we’re heading to a resolution when it comes to this drawn-out process. Whether that means Rodgers plays in Jets green remains to be seen.
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