Tag: rodgers

Dec 15, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) throws a pass during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Report: Giants set Tuesday visit with QB Jameis Winston

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Free agent quarterback Jameis Winston will visit the New York Giants on Tuesday, NFL Network reported.

The 31-year-old becomes the latest veteran to chat with the quarterback-needy Giants, who have only Tommy DeVito — initially signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023 — under contract.

The Giants reportedly have an offer out to four-time NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers and are awaiting his decision. They previously met with former Super Bowl winners Russell Wilson and Joe Flacco.

Winston, drafted No. 1 overall by the Buccaneers in 2015, spent five seasons with Tampa Bay and four with the New Orleans Saints and the 2024 season with the Browns.

In Cleveland, he appeared in 12 games (seven starts), completing 61.1 percent of his passes for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

In 105 games (87 starts) he has a 36-51 record. He has thrown for 24,225 yards with 154 touchdowns and 111 interceptions. He also has 1,297 rushing yards and 12 scores.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws his 500th career touchdown pass in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.

Reports: Steelers chasing Aaron Rodgers

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There reason for delay by the Pittsburgh Steelers in re-signing their two free agent quarterbacks reportedly has a name — and it’s Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers, 41, is a free agent after the New York Jets informed him they were going another direction after two seasons and a coaching change.

The Steelers reportedly have kept the door open for Russell Wilson or Justin Fields to return after reaching the playoffs last season. Fields was 4-2 when Wilson returned from a calf injury to take the reins for the remainder of the season. Wilson and Metcalf played together with the Seahawks.

After acquiring Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf to end a two-season pursuit of a No. 1 option in the passing game, the Steelers are now considering a new passer, ESPN and NFL Network reported Monday morning.

Rodgers passed for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2024, returning from a season-ending Achilles injury in his first game with the Jets in Sept. 2023.

The 10-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time NFL MVP has also been reported as an option for the New York Giants.

–Field Level Media

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) could have an opportunity to play in New York again next season -- for the Giants.

Reports: Giants switch QB focus to Aaron Rodgers

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Aaron Rodgers’ goal of playing in New York a few more years might still be attainable.

According to reports, the New York Giants are pursuing the 41-year-old quarterback who will no longer suit up for the Jets under new coach Aaron Glenn.

A two-year run with the Jets is coming to an end after Rodgers and Glenn met to discuss the future. The Giants are trying to end a two-year slump where offensive line injuries, poor quarterback play and assorted other issues have led to a combined 9-25 record after reaching the playoffs in 2022.

Rodgers joined the Jets amid much fanfare ahead of the 2023 season but suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the opener. Last season, he rebounded to start all 17 games but the Jets finished only 5-12. He completed 63.0 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Giants quarterbacks combined for 15 touchdowns and 17 turnovers (13 interceptions) in 2024, when former first-round pick Daniel Jones was benched, then released in November.

The Athletic reported the Giants’ decision-makers were focused on a bid for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford until Friday, when he agreed to a restructured contract to return to Los Angeles.

The Giants also hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 draft.

A four-time MVP and 10-time Pro Bowl selection, Rodgers is the active NFL leader with 62,952 passing yards and 503 touchdown passes in 20 seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2005-22) and Jets.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates after throwing his 500th touchdown pass during the second quarter of their game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers reaches 500-TD milestone

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Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers became the fifth player to throw 500 career touchdown passes when he connected with Tyler Conklin on a 5-yard scoring pass in the second quarter of New York’s season-ending contest against the visiting Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

The milestone touchdown throw comes in what could be the final game of Rodgers’ 20-year NFL career.

Rodgers joins Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508) in the exclusive club.

Conklin, a tight end, found a crease in the end zone and was wide open when Rodgers connected with him with 7:57 left in the second quarter. Rodgers joined his celebrating teammates in the end zone and Conklin gave him the ball.

Rodgers threw No. 501 later in the second quarter when he hit wide receiver Allen Lazard on a 13-yard touchdown pass for a 15-6 lead on the Dolphins in East Rutherford, N.J.

The 41-year-old Rodgers tossed 475 touchdowns for the Green Bay Packers and the rest have come with the Jets.

Rodgers’ future is a huge topic. He has said he is unsure if he will play a 21st season, while indicating it probably won’t be with the Jets if he decides to play in 2025.

–Field Level Media

Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off the field after losing to the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Jets not planning to shut down QB Aaron Rodgers

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Aaron Rodgers remains the quarterback for the New York Jets and there are no plans to shut him down because of nagging injuries, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said Monday.

Rodgers is “absolutely” the starting quarterback for the Jets (3-8) against the Seattle Seahawks (6-5), Ulbrich confirmed.

Responding to questions centered around reports Rodgers was bypassing medical tests for minor leg injuries — a swollen knee and a tender ankle — Ulbrich said there has been no discussion about shelving Rodgers.

“All I can say — and you’d have to ask Aaron if he’s fully healthy — but he’s better off today than he’s been as of late,” Ulbrich said. “So he’s definitely feeling healthier than he has for probably the last month, and a healthy Aaron Rodgers is the Aaron Rodgers we all love. So, excited about what that looks like.”

Ulbrich, named interim coach in October, said coming back from the team’s bye week he wasn’t aware of Rodgers skipping scans or X-rays.

“That’s news to me,” Ulbrich said Monday.

The Jets have lost seven of their last eight games and Ulbrich said Monday one area of focus after a bye week is keeping players focused regardless of playoff chances.

Rodgers turns 41 on Dec. 2 and said he is planning to return for the 2025 season despite disappointment over the results to date of what he framed as a redemption season. Rodgers, acquired in a trade from the Packers in 2023, was lost for the entire season when he ruptured his Achilles on the first possession of his debut with New York.

He has 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2024 but hasn’t thrown a pick since the Oct. 20 loss at Pittsburgh.

The Jets are making plans to move forward with front office interviews for general manager and a permanent head coach. Owner Woody Johnson’s relationship with Rodgers has been questioned publicly, but a contradicting report emerged Sunday stating the two recently dined together in New York.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts following a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Interim HC: Jets paralyzed by desire to perform

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Trying too hard can be as dangerous as not trying hard enough. That’s the message New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich wants to reverberate in his locker room this week.

“There’s an element right now because of the high character of our locker room and this team that there’s a bit of pressing to make things happen,” Ulbrich said Monday. “It’s coming from the absolute best place on Earth, guys wanting to do the best for their teammates, this fan base, this organization. We have all got to take a deep breath and just do our job, collectively.”

The Jets lost to the Steelers on Sunday night and at 2-5 are third in the AFC East and falling further behind the Buffalo Bills (5-2). They visit last-place New England this week. The Patriots are 1-6 and have been outscored by 76 points in seven games.

But Ulbrich doesn’t want the Jets to focus on the upcoming opponent just yet.

From his perspective, Ulbrich said the desire to deliver has become so strong that the Jets are “getting away from who we are.”

He said some of the implied or imagined pressure players are feeling has to do with expectations.

“It raises the level of expectation when you put an Aaron Rodgers into the fold,” Ulbrich said. “That need and want to sometimes do more than I need to do, that can get in our way sometimes. There’s an element of getting back to the basics. And just doing our job.”

Asked if Rodgers is pressing, Ulbrich said, “I think there’s an element to a good portion of the guys in this locker room. It’s not pressing from a selfish standpoint by any means. More just a byproduct of there’s a strong connection on this team, stronger than most that I’ve ever been around. They just want to do right by each other. I’ve got to do a better job of alleviating them of that pressure they’re putting on themselves.

“I think he’s such an amazing human being and teammate, he feels such a strong obligation to this team and locker room, that can get us all out of whack sometimes, myself included.”

Ulbrich met with Haason Reddick after he reported to the Jets for the first time Monday morning. Ulbrich said Reddick is raring to go but must get through medical protocols, including a routine physical. Ulbrich said the Jets won’t make a decision about Reddick playing this week until he gets on the field and they make a mutual assessment.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) runs with the ball as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) defends during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Jets WR Davante Adams to make debut vs. Steelers

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Star wide receiver Davante Adams is expected to make his debut with the New York Jets in Sunday night’s game against the host Pittsburgh Steelers, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich announced.

Adams sat out the Raiders’ last three games due to a nagging hamstring injury.

When the six-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro takes the field in Pittsburgh, Adams will be wearing his traditional No. 17. The Jets announced Wednesday that rookie wideout Malachi Corley opted to switch to the No. 14 jersey.

The team did not divulge what Corley received in the exchange.

The Jets acquired Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday for a conditional third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. That selection could be elevated to a second-round pick based on Adams’ individual performance the rest of this season, according to ESPN and The Athletic.

The trade came hours after the Jets (2-4) dropped their third straight game, 23-20 to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.

“Obviously the team knows who he is. Integrating him as fast as possible into everything that we do,” Ulbrich said. “… What an amazing human being. You never know what a superstar is going to be like sometimes. (Perhaps) a little weird sometimes. Not at all. The humility I felt on him. The great teammate I felt on him. The love of football. I’m so excited to add this guy to the locker room from a culture standpoint.”

Adams won’t have to introduce himself to star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The four-time NFL MVP played eight seasons in Green Bay with Adams, and that combination was responsible for 622 receptions, 7,590 yards and 69 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Aug 4, 2022; Canton, Ohio, USA; Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams (left) and quarterback Derek Carr run before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Saints QB Derek Carr craves reunion with Davante Adams

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr and Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams have twice been teammates during their respective football careers.

Carr said Thursday that he would welcome a third opportunity if Adams has truly been placed on the trade block by the Raiders. Adams reportedly wants to be traded to a team in which he already knows the quarterback.

Carr and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers fit that bill.

“I think all 32 (starting) quarterbacks would love to play with Davante. We would welcome that,” Carr told reporters. “I don’t know if I can get in trouble for saying that. I just think everyone kind of knows that …

“I think everyone would love to play with ‘Tay.’ I would obviously welcome playing with him again if that ever worked out in our careers.”

Carr and Adams were college teammates at Fresno State for two seasons (2012-13) when Adams caught 233 passes for 3,031 yards and 38 touchdowns. The Bulldogs went 20-6 during those campaigns.

They were reunited in 2022 with the Raiders, a season that turned out to be Carr’s ninth and final one with the organization. Adams had 100 receptions for 1,516 yards and 14 touchdowns despite Carr being benched for the final two contests after Las Vegas was saddled with a 6-9 record.

“I think it was like the second-best year of his career,” Carr said of Adams’ 2022 production. “The narrative that it didn’t work out is correct because we didn’t win as many games. But when it comes to getting him the ball and him scoring a lot of touchdowns, I think it went pretty good.”

Adams also has a lot history with Rodgers. They were teammates with the Green Bay Packers from 2014-21 when Adams received five of his six Pro Bowl nods.

Carr said his family takes vacations with Adams and his family.

Carr also said he spoke to Adams this week but that the two didn’t discuss the trade speculation.

This season, Adams has 18 receptions for 209 yards and one touchdown in three games this season. He missed last week’s game against the Cleveland Browns. He also is expected to sit out this week against the Denver Broncos after missing practices on Wednesday and Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 19, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh hugs quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after a touchdown by running back Breece Hall (not pictured) during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Robert Saleh says Jets will ‘push envelope’ with cadence

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New York Jets coach Robert Saleh backtracked Monday after previously suggesting that quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ unique cadence was contributing to the team’s pre-snap penalties.

The Jets were flagged for five false starts during Sunday’s 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos.

“We’ve got to figure it out, whether or not we’re good enough or ready to handle all the cadence,” Saleh said after the game. “Cadence had not been an issue all camp. Felt like our operation had been operating pretty good. Obviously, today it took a major step back.”

Rodgers, a four-time league MVP who is known for drawing “free plays” by barking signals that draw the opponent offsides, said he didn’t think his cadence was the problem.

“I don’t know if we need to make mass changes based on kind of an outlier games,” Rodgers said.

Adjusting his cadence is “one way to do it,” Rodgers said. “The other way is to hold them accountable.”

The Jets (2-2) had 13 accepted penalties for 90 yards against Denver, including seven pre-snap flags (five on offense and two on defense).

In a Monday videoconference with reporters, Saleh appeared to backtrack as he drew a distinction between “cadence” and “operation.”

“We’re always going to push the envelope with cadence. Always,” he said. “But with regards to operation, getting in and out of the huddle, getting to the line of scrimmage, the communication that’s being had, those are all things that we can continue to look at and clean up.

“But from a cadence standpoint, that’s part of what makes us who we are, and we’re going to continue to always push the envelope on that.”

Rodgers completed 24 of 42 passes for 225 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions and was sacked five times on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 19, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws against the New England Patriots in the 1st quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Vintage Aaron Rodgers appears as Jets dominate Patriots

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Aaron Rodgers threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns as the New York Jets beat the New England Patriots 24-3 on Thursday night in East Rutherford, N.J.

Rodgers was playing at MetLife Stadium for the first time since tearing his left Achilles tendon in New York’s 2023 season opener. He was injured on the fourth snap in that contest before missing the rest of the campaign.

Jets fans had to be pleased with what they saw on Thursday, though, as the 40-year-old completed 27 of 35 passes and was constantly escaping pressure from New England’s front seven. Rodgers was sacked just twice.

Tyler Conklin thrived in New York’s passing game, hauling in five catches for 93 yards.

Breece Hall had 54 yards and a TD on 16 carries for the Jets (2-1), who outgained the Patriots 400-139 and controlled the ball for 40 minutes, four seconds. Hall added four receptions for 29 yards.

The Patriots (1-2) struggled to get anything going offensively. Jacoby Brissett had 98 yards on 12-of-18 passing and got no help from the running game. New England did not have a rusher break the 30-yard mark.

No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye made his NFL debut, taking over for Brissett late in the fourth quarter. Maye hit on 4 of 8 passes for 22 yards.

New York virtually put the game away on its first possession of the second half.

After their defense forced a three-and-out to begin the half, the Jets ate 7:10 of clock during a drive that ended with a 2-yard scoring strike from Rodgers to Garrett Wilson.

That provided the Jets with a commanding 21-3 lead and prompted the home crowd to get “Aaron Rodgers” chants going later in the third quarter.

Greg Zuerlein drilled a 28-yard field goal with 10:16 left in the game for the hosts’ final points.

New York opened the scoring with 4:21 left in the first quarter when Rodgers connected with Allen Lazard for a 10-yard touchdown.

Hall doubled the Jets’ lead with 8:32 remaining in the second quarter, punctuating a 13-play, 91-yard march by rushing into the end zone from 1 yard out to make it 14-0. Officials initially ruled Hall down short of the goal line, but New York successfully challenged the call.

A 34-yard defensive pass interference penalty got New England down to the Jets 25 on the ensuing possession, but the Patriots ended up having to settle for Joey Slye’s 44-yard field goal with 3:56 left in the half.

–Field Level Media