Reports: QB Aaron Rodgers Rejected Trade To Patriots

Aaron Rodgers, a future Hall of Fame quarterback, was acquired by the New York Jets in the most significant transaction of the NFL offseason from the Green Bay Packers. Could Rodgers have joined one of New York’s division rivals in a different universe?

Reports: QB Aaron Rodgers Rejected Trade To Patriots

On his FS1 morning program this week, Craig Carton, who left WFAN and now works exclusively for Fox Sports, said that Aaron Rodgers declined a trade to the Patriots.

“Aaron Rodgers almost wasn’t a Jet,” Carton said. “The New England Patriots made an offer to the Green Bay Packers to get Aaron Rodgers, and when Aaron Rodgers heard it, his agent said, ‘No, we ain’t playing for New England. We want to be a Jet.”

For a few reasons, it makes sense. First off, Nathaniel Hackett, a former offensive coordinator for the Packers, now works for the Jets rather than the Patriots. Second, Belichick has a reputation for pushing athletes to their limits. That might not be what Rodgers wants.

Rodgers has raved about the joy the Jets have brought him. Under Belichick, it’s “zero  fun, sir” — except when they have a Super Bowl parade.

In the end, New York obtained Rodgers from Green Bay along with the No. 15 and No. 170 selections in the 2023 NFL Draft as well as a conditional 2024 second-round draft pick that would become a first-round pick if the quarterback played 65% of the team’s 2023 snaps.

Mac Jones, who will shortly enter his third season as New England’s starting quarterback, has seen his completion percentage decrease 2.4% (from 67.6% to 65.2%) and passer rating fall 7.5 points (92.5 to 84.8) since his rookie year. Due to a severe ankle injury last season, Jones missed three games.

We’ve also heard rumors that Rodgers was attracting interest from other teams. Before the future Hall of Famer publicly announced his intention to join the Jets, the San Francisco 49ers apparently expressed interest in him.

Rodgers seemed to have had a selection of other teams, but he ultimately went with the Jets.

The 39-year-old Rodgers finished the previous season with 3,695 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, a 91.1 passer rating, and a completion percentage of 64.6%.

 

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