Sep 25, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet after the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jets won’t try to lure Tom Brady out of retirement

The New York Jets will not ask a seven-time Super Bowl champion to replace a four-time Most Valuable Player.

The Athletic reported Wednesday that Tom Brady coming out of retirement to replace injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t one of the options head coach Robert Saleh and the Jets are discussing.

Brady, 46, has made it clear to people close to him that he is finished with football, per the report.

Saleh confirmed Tuesday that 2021 first-round pick Zach Wilson is “our quarterback” and there is no competition heading into Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.

Rodgers, 39, played just four snaps in his much-anticipated Jets debut on Monday night against the Buffalo Bills before sustaining a torn left Achilles tendon, ending his season.

Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, replaced Rodgers and completed 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Jets defeated the Bills 22-16 in overtime on undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson’s 65-yard punt return.

Tim Boyle is the only other quarterback on New York’s roster, leaving the Jets to shop around this week for a veteran free agent.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (8) and Zach Wilson (2) talk during the second half of their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Jets turn to Zach Wilson, consider QB options

Aaron Rodgers is headed to injured reserve, and the New York Jets are turning back to Zach Wilson.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh delivered confirmation of the return to the old pecking order at quarterback on Tuesday, one day after the Jets opened the season with a win but lost Rodgers to a torn Achilles tendon.

“I want to make it very clear Zach is our quarterback. We’re rolling with Zach and excited for him and this opportunity he’s going to get,” Saleh said.

Rodgers’ roster spot will likely be used on a quarterback. Tim Boyle is the No. 3 QB but general manager Joe Douglas and Saleh have discussed other options.

Those could include former Jets and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.

The Jets are on the road Sunday to face the Dallas Cowboys (1-0). The Cowboys won in the Jets’ home stadium on Sunday night, taking apart the Giants in a 40-0 shellacking controlled by the Dallas defense.

Wilson threw a TD pass to Garrett Wilson and the Jets survived the Buffalo Bills thanks to a sterling defensive showing that included four takeaways.

Zach Wilson said Monday night he has grown since being benched for a lack of leadership and professionalism, adding a big factor moving forward will be trusting the defense to pick him up.

Zach Wilson is 8-14 as a starter with 16 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.

“It wasn’t perfectly obviously, but the biggest thing was believing in him,” Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard said of Wilson delivering the win on Monday night.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Nick Foles (9) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Super Bowl-winning QB tops list of Jets’ potential options

The New York Jets did not anticipate turning the key of the offense over to embattled former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson four snaps into their 2023 season.

But that’s likely the scenario they find themselves in with Aaron Rodgers suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Monday night’s season-opening win against Buffalo. In the wake of Rodgers’ injury, SportsBetting.ag released odds of the next quarterback the Jets will sign or trade for.

Other than a terrible read on an interception, Wilson managed the offense efficiently in completing 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown against the Bills. He was primarily tasked with protecting the football and completed only two passes of 20-plus yards.

The Jets don’t currently have another quarterback on their 53-man roster. Tim Boyle is on the practice squad but is not a season-long answer at quarterback, meaning the Jets will likely turn to the free agent and/or trade markets to provide competition for Wilson.

The book released odds on 24 potential candidates, ranging everywhere from a previous Super Bowl winner to the cheeky option of a former Heisman Trophy winner and current broadcaster.

Topping the list is Nick Foles at +300. The 32-year-old is currently a free agent after playing for Indianapolis last season but did lead Philadelphia to a victory in Super Bowl LII. That was the season he was an injury replacement for Carson Wentz, another free agent who appears on the list at +1200.

Another free agent option could be Colt McCoy, the 37-year-old journeyman who was expected to open the season as Arizona’s starter until he was released during final roster cuts.

If the Jets explore trade options, there are numerous veteran backups with starting experience. However, they’d likely have to target those who aren’t currently with AFC teams that consider the Jets a direct threat this season.

The shortest odds in the trade market belong to a pair of current backups in New Orleans. Jameis Winston (+350) is the primary backup to Derek Carr, while the Saints also have super-utilityman Taysom Hill (+500) as an option. Winston opened at +2200 shortly after Rodgers went down Monday night but had become the second favorite by the time the Jets confirmed the severity of the injury Tuesday.

Two more interesting options currently ply their trade in Texas. Davis Mills (+600) lost his starting job with the Texans to rookie C.J. Stroud, while Cooper Rush (+1000) proved very capable in winning four of the five starts he made for the Cowboys in place of Dak Prescott last season.

The Jets were considered a strong Super Bowl contender entering the season, which naturally raises the debate about whether Tom Brady would come out of retirement. For now, that possibility remains a remote +2000 option at SportsBetting.ag.

NEXT QB SIGNED/ACQUIRED BY JETS ODDS

Nick Foles (+300)

Jameis Winston (+350)

Colt McCoy (+400)

Taysom Hill (+500)

Davis Mills (+600)

Cooper Rush (+1000)

Carson Wentz (+1200)

Teddy Bridgewater (+1400)

Taylor Heinicke (+1600)

Case Keenum (+1800)

Marcus Mariota (+1800)

Tom Brady (+2000)

Jacoby Brissett (+2500)

Josh Johnson (+2500)

Mason Rudolph (+2800)

Joe Flacco (+3300)

Tyrod Taylor (+4000)

Andy Dalton (+3500)

Gardner Minshew (+4000)

Matt Ryan (+5000)

Russell Wilson (+7500)

Ryan Fitzpatrick (+7500)

Andrew Luck (+10000)

Tim Tebow (+15000)

–Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) runs onto the field to face the Buffalo Bills in the home opener at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford.

Super drop: Jets’ odds nosedive minutes after Aaron Rodgers’ injury

Aaron Rodgers left four plays into his tenure as New York Jets quarterback, deflating MetLife Stadium and oddsmakers’ outlook on the franchise’s Super Bowl chances.

The Jets were 18-1 to win the Super Bowl before kickoff and dropped immediately to 34-1 at FanDuel as a signal of the shocking reversal of fortunes for the maligned franchise.

Rodgers attempted one pass, an incompletion, and left the game on a cart. He wore a protective boot on his left foot when entering the locker room for X-rays the team said were negative.

Rodgers was expected to undergo an MRI exam to determine whether his Achilles was damaged. The injury was reflected in odds shifts at nearly every sportsbook.

DraftKings dropped the Jets from the seventh-best odds (+1600 to +2800). BetMGM also had the Jets down from +1800 to +2800.

The Jets were also shifted from -130 to make the playoffs to +240.

PointsBet had not immediately adjusted Super Bowl futures and offered the Jets as Super Bowl champs at +1500.

MVP futures odds were off the board at multiple sportsbooks. Rodgers, a four-time MVP, won the award in 2020 and 2021 and had +1600 consensus odds entering Week 1 to capture the honor again this year.

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA;   New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws against the Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers tosses TD in Jets preseason debut

Aaron Rodgers hooked up with Garrett Wilson on a pitch-and-catch touchdown in his first action in a New York Jets uniform on Saturday.

Rodgers quarterbacked the first two offensive possessions of the Jets’ preseason finale against the host New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J. He completed 5 of 8 passes for 47 yards, three of his completions going to Wilson, last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

After the Jets’ first drive ended in a punt, Rodgers guided them on a four-play, 52-yard scoring drive aided by a 22-yard defensive pass interference penalty. Rodgers completed a 10-yard pass to Mecole Hardman before throwing a fade to his left for Wilson, resulting in a 14-yard touchdown.

After the Jets tacked on a 67-yard interception return for a touchdown by Brandin Echols, they sat Rodgers for backup Zach Wilson.

Rodgers took snaps in the preseason for the first time since Aug. 16, 2018, with the Green Bay Packers. The Jets acquired Rodgers from the Packers this offseason after the four-time MVP spent his first 18 NFL seasons in Green Bay.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, center, and head coach Robert Saleh, right, on the sideline during a preseason NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in East Rutherford.

Aaron Rodgers to start Jets’ preseason finale

Aaron Rodgers is planning to play in a preseason game for the first time since 2018 when the New York Jets wrap up the exhibition season against the New York Giants on Saturday at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Jets acquired the four-time league Most Valuable Player in April in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. In the first two preseason games, he watched quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle lead the offense.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Monday that he hasn’t decided which personnel will play on Saturday. He said Rodgers playing — or not — would have no bearing on what the Giants do in the game.

But for either side, Saturday will be vital for setting the final 53-man roster ahead of Week 1. Daboll said the coaching staff and general manager Joe Schoen would discuss the best approach to the game.

Wilson, who will back up Rodgers after going 8-14 as a starter over the past two seasons, started the three preseason games for the Jets leading up to Saturday’s “away” game against the Giants in the stadium the teams share.

Rodgers, 39, said in July he wouldn’t mind getting playing time in the preseason to gauge his new team’s readiness for the Sept. 11 opener against the Buffalo Bills.

“Most coaches have that fear where they want to get you to Week 1 and not risk it, but I believe there is a chance for (playing in) the last one,” Rodgers said.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) tries to break a tackle by Green Bay Packers linebacker Krys Barnes (51) in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

New Jets RB Dalvin Cook sees ‘something special’ in NY

New Jets running back Dalvin Cook turned down a chance to play near his home and teamed up with former division rival Aaron Rodgers for a chance to win big in New York.

“Being on the other side the last six years, I couldn’t be on the other side anymore,” Cook said with a laugh of being a teammate of Rodgers after battling him in the NFC North.

Cook was released by the Minnesota Vikings and Rodgers was traded to the Jets from the Green Bay Packers.

“When I came on my visit, I think I saw everything I needed to see. I think I can come help these guys,” Cook said Thursday after his first full practice with the team. “When you look at the running back room with M.C. (Michael Carter), Breece (Hall), Bam (Zonovan Knight) and all those guys, with me just adding to it, I think it could be something special.”

Rodgers said Wednesday the offensive line was “a work in progress,” noting the “beauty and struggle” is finding continuity up front.

“You’ve got to run the ball to win in this league. You need multiple guys to get it done,” Rodgers said. “He made it well known to me in the process he wanted to play with me, come to Jersey.”

Cook, 28, visited with the Jets last month and showed interest in the Miami Dolphins. He was linked to yet another AFC East team, the New England Patriots, who wound up signing free agent running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Cook was slated to earn $11 million in 2023 with Minnesota, where he rushed for 5,024 yards and 43 touchdowns the past four seasons.

In 73 career games (72 starts) since the Vikings drafted him in the second round in 2017, Cook has 5,993 rushing yards, 47 rushing touchdowns, 221 receptions, 1,794 receiving yards and five TD catches.

He is coming off surgery on Feb. 14, the latest in a series of major shoulder issues that include a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum.

–Field Level Media

Aug 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; quarterback Bryce Young (9) during Carolina Panthers Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Jets, Aaron Rodgers praise Panthers QB Bryce Young

Jets head coach Robert Saleh identified 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young as the best point guard on the field in joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday.

Young placed multiple throws in the perfect spot through tight coverage in full-team work against New York, which had a top-five overall defense in 2022.

“He’s got a great head on his shoulders,” Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said of Young. “He’ll be just fine.”

Saleh called Young “an unbelievable point guard” when asked if he compared the 21-year-old to Rodgers.

“I think I speak for everyone … he’s going to be pretty damn good,” Saleh said.

The Jets are prepping to face the Panthers on Thursday night in Charlotte in the second preseason game of the summer for New York. Rodgers will again be in street clothes for the game and could have a similar role calling a few plays in the first half.

Rodgers, who was cheered on enemy turf for a dart of a touchdown to Allen Lazard, said he would advise Young to “be gentle with yourself … it’s a long journey, hold onto your confidence.”

Rodgers said he’s a “big fan” of Young and knew coming to Carolina this week that he would be after hearing raves from good friend — and new Panthers receiver — Adam Thielen.

Young, already named the No. 1 quarterback for the Panthers, had a moment to connect with former Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Williams, an anchor of the Jets’ defense, posed for a few pictures with Young. But the rookie quarterback said he was extremely grateful to hear the wisdom from the four-time NFL MVP.

“When you talk about someone like Aaron Rodgers who has had so much success for so long, any advice he would give, I’d definitely be receptive to it,” Young said.

Young, undersized relative to prototype height and weight standards at the position, credited Rodgers’ ability to throw on time and on target from multiple arm angles as a standard he chased growing up. He said it was “super cool” to get a pre-practice visit from Rodgers. He said they talked about the experience as first-round picks.

“Just for him to take the time to come out and support me, I really appreciate him,” Young said.

–Field Level Media

Jul 31, 2023; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) participates in drills during the New York Jets Training Camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center.  Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers envisions three-plus years in NY

Three years, maybe more.

Aaron Rodgers sees no reason to limit expectations for how long he might play for the New York Jets.

Rodgers, who turns 40 in December, remains upbeat and optimistic about his own longevity aligning with the Jets’ emergence as a consistent AFC contender.

In the context of being asked about his future bust in Canton at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Rodgers hinted enshrinement could be eight years or more away. The process includes a five-year waiting period, which equates to three seasons with the Jets.

“Who knows what’s going to happen in eight or nine years? That’s a long way off,” Rodgers said. “I’m taking it one year at a time. Yeah, I’d love to play as long as I can, as long as it’s fun, as long as my body feels good, as long as they want me.”

Rodgers said he’s “not missing it at all” when discussing his recent restructured contract agreement that pushes money from the 2023 salary cap to 2025. He’s 12th in terms of average annual value among quarterbacks at $37.5 million for the next three seasons.

“It wasn’t really a negotiation, like back and forth, me starting at 50 and them starting at 20 and meeting somewhere,” Rodgers said, joking owner Woody Johnson was the only one nervous about the contract. “It was an easy conversation, much of it between me and (GM) Joe (Douglas), just talking about the state of the team and the opportunities that could be out there — that are out there now, that could be out there.”

Tom Brady retired at 45 in February after playing from 2000-22. Rodgers entered the NFL in 2005 as a first-round pick, but he’s not ready to put an age limit on himself.

“This is going to be a few-years partnership,” Rodgers said.

–Field Level Media

Jul 22, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) participates in drills during the New York Jets Training Camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers, Jets agree to modified contract

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers agreed to a modified contract that signals he’ll be sticking around New York longer than the 2023 season.

Rodgers confirmed the contract was addressed with a formal agreement but not yet signed. He didn’t offer further details on Wednesday.

This is the second adjustment to his existing deal since landing with the Jets via trade from the Green Bay Packers.

“I don’t see this as a one-year-and-done thing,” Rodgers said.

The pact was scheduled to pay Rodgers $1.165 million for 2023 before jumping to $107.55 million in 2024, which included an option bonus of $58.3 million.

Rodgers turns 40 in December, and the four-time MVP signed a three-year deal with the Packers before the 2022 season. The $150.8 million contract with the Packers included a $40.8 signing bonus and was fully guaranteed at an average of $50.2 million per year.

–Field Level Media