The offseason for the New York Jets has been focused mostly on Aaron Rodgers. The future Hall of Famer set the record straight last week, letting it be known that he intends to play for the Jets, not the Green Bay Packers, in 2023. It sounds like there is a lot of work to do when it comes to figuring out a trade, which leaves New York in a tough spot.
Given the complexity of acquiring Rodgers, mostly fitting his contract on their salary cap, the Jets have been pretty quiet this offseason when it comes to signing players. Only three players have been signed away from other teams; wide receiver Allen Lazard and offensive linemen Wes Schweitzer and Trystan Colon-Castillo.
The Jets have been linked to other players, all of whom have ties to Rodgers. Randall Cobb, Marcedes Lewis and Odell Beckham Jr. are three players that Rodgers would reportedly like the team to look into signing before acquiring him via trade.
Those aren’t the only veterans that the Jets are keeping their eyes on. According to a former NFL executive that spoke to NFL Analysis Network, New York is also showing some level of interest in Julio Jones.
“The market for Julio Jones has been slow, but one team that has toyed with the idea of signing him is the New York Jets. Other wideouts are higher on their list, but he’s an option that has been considered.”
If signing those three players means making Rodgers happy, there is some sense to those moves. But, why the Jets are looking into bringing in another older, out of his prime wide receiver in Jones, is anyone’s guess.
It would be odd for New York to continue pouring more assets into the wide receiver position. They have an emerging star, reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore and Corey Davis still on the roster. Lazard has been added to the mix and given the size of his contract, they have big plans for him.
Finding where Jones fits into that mix is difficult. He continued struggling with injuries last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had the least productive season of his career.
It makes sense why Jones would have his eyes on the Jets. They could be legitimate contenders with Rodgers in the fold. But, the Jets having any interest in signing him is truly head-scratching.
