Not too long ago, it appeared as if longtime Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers would be moving on to the bright lights of New York City. With the Jets all set to pull the trigger on a trade for the 39-year-old veteran, it would be a huge roll of the dice. And also, a sure sign to their fan base that they were all in for a Super Bowl run.
Aaron Rodgers via The Sundae Conversations YouTube
Or, as one NFL expert recently said, it was now “Aaron Rodgers or Bust” for the Big Apple bunch.
As the days have stretched into weeks now, everyone in both cities and around the NFL has been anticipating it to be completed. While Rodgers himself has stayed patient, he’s made it clear publicly that he wants to play in New York next year. However, talks had been at a standstill as recently as this past week.
In the meantime, there have been some minor rumblings that the San Francisco 49ers are now in play if the Packers-Jets deal stalls. And at least one former player, now an NFL analyst, thinks that those noises are starting to get louder and louder.
Aaron Rodgers – ‘The Bad Man’ | Joseph Vincent via YouTube
RELATED: Did Aaron Rodgers Endorse Robert F. Kennedy Jr. For President In 2024?
Former Giant running back Tiki Barber said recently that considering the departure of Jimmy Garoppolo, the potential trade of Trey Lance, and the health concerns surrounding Brock Purdy, a contender as the ‘Niners might step in.
Barber reasons that San Francisco is a team poised to win right now, so they could more eager to give up premium, future picks to grab the Green Bay signal caller. California has often been rumored as a potential destination for Aaron Rodgers at various points in his career. He grew up in the Golden State and played his college ball at Cal.
“All of this little simmering, it’s not even like smoke coming out of this thing, it’s just a little crinkling of flames starting to burgeon up under the leaves about Aaron Rodgers actually going to the 49ers as opposed to the Jets now has some validity,” Barber said on the show, Tiki & Tierney. “If they trade Trey Lance and Brock Purdy isn’t available to play this year because of UCL surgery, Sam Darnold is not, I promise you, is not starting for the 49ers.”
“They will go get… and they’re okay to mortgage their future because they don’t care, they’re not worried about losing their jobs,” the former three-time Pro Bowl concluded. “They’ve done it before. They’ve gotten to the championship game, and they’ve gotten deep in the playoffs. This team will go get Aaron Rodgers if he’s available. And the Jets, the premise we started this with, will be stuck sitting out in the cold with their underwear on. And that’s it.”
Despite Barber’s proclamation, as well as a handful of others, most media members who cover the NFL closely still believe that Aaron Rodgers will be suiting up in New York in 2023.
According to NFL Insider Ian Rappaport on Twitter, “After a dormant couple weeks, the Jets and Packers recently re-engaged on trade talks surrounding star QB Aaron Rodgers, sources say. A deal is not imminent, but the two sides are at least talking— with hopes a deal can (finally) be done this week,”
The trade could be hinging on this week’s upcoming NFL Draft, depending on what type of future considerations that the Packers are asking for. In essence, whatever deal is in place right now likely involves 2023 selections, so the hope for both teams’ fan bases is that there is some kind of closure in the next few days.
If not? The Jets could be in for a long haul… or possibly even the ‘Niners hauling away with their golden-armed QB.
NEXT: Did Aaron Rodgers Endorse Robert F. Kennedy Jr. For President In 2024?