The New York Jets are reeling from the departure of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who left the team after officially announcing his parting ways. The impact of this move will be felt for years to come. When the trade was made in 2023, it wasn’t just a one-player acquisition but an entire movement that changed the face of the team.
The Jets invested heavily in Rodgers, surrounding him with top talent like wide receivers Adams and Lazard. However, their efforts were not enough to keep him on board. The team is now left to navigate the quarterback market in free agency and the draft.
Without Adams and Lazard, the Jets’ receiver corps will be a high priority in free agency and the draft. Tim Patrick of the Detroit Lions could be an interesting target for the team. The coaching staff also faces uncertainty, with nine members of the staff having at least one season of NFL experience between them.
The Rodgers news has intensified the quarterback conversation in the offseason, starting with free agency and going through the draft. A name to watch in the draft is Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss, who Senior football adviser Rick Spielman raved about during the Senior Bowl.
The team’s mid-February uncertainty at quarterback echoes a similar situation in 2017 when Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith were going free agency, with Bryce Petty being the only quarterback on the depth chart. The Jets eventually signed Josh McCown, who delivered a solid season.
As the team navigates this uncertain period, they will need to find a way to build momentum and stability at quarterback. With the seventh and 42nd picks in the draft, they have some flexibility to maneuver if they target Dart or other quarterbacks. Ultimately, the Jets’ ability to move forward from Rodgers’ departure will depend on their ability to find the right quarterback solution.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43843558/new-york-jets-aaron-rodgers-affect-davante-adams-garett-wilson