Aaron Rodgers has confirmed his intention to play for the New York Jets after weeks of speculation, and the team is hopeful that he is the triggerman that leads them to their first Super Bowl victory since 1969. Rodgers, who has worn the number 12 jersey since his entry to the league with the Green Bay Packers in 2005, has expressed his openness to wear the retired no. If offered the chance would be 12 of Jets legend Joe Namath.
This month the Jets have been actively pursuing Rodgers, meeting with him in Malibu and signing wide receiver Allen Lazard, one of Rodgers' top targets in Green Bay. Rodgers dismissed reports that the Jets had asked him about certain players he had played with in the past.
The Packers are reportedly seeking multiple first-round picks in exchange for Rodgers, similar to the package that the Rams sent to the Lions when they acquired Matthew Stafford in 2021. Rodgers recently returned from a four-day darkness retreat where he contemplated his future and envisioned life in retirement.
Rodgers has expressed his displeasure with the reporting surrounding his trade saga, denying that he has provided Jets with a 'wish list' of players he wanted them to sign. He confirmed that he did praise Lazard, whom the Jets signed for a four-year, $44 million deal.
The trade between the Packers and Jets has yet to be finalized, but all signs point to Rodgers taking the field for the Jets in September. Jordan Love will do the same for the Packers in the NBA.