Aaron Rodgers, still a packer, says his “intent” is to play for the Jets
“I think since Friday I’ve made it clear that I want to play, and my intention was to play for the New York Jets,” Rodgers said. “And I wasn’t upholding anything at that point. It was the compensation that the Packers are trying to get me and kind of meddling. … It is what it is. The Packers would like to move on. They told me that in so many words. They communicated this to others in direct words.”
Rodgers met with Jets officials in California last week, including team owner Woody Johnson and coach Robert Saleh.
“I’m not offended by that,” Rodgers said. “I’m not a victim of any of this. I don’t have that mentality. I have nothing but love and appreciation. … Coming to that reality was really bittersweet because I was drafted by Green Bay. I love this city. I love this organization and [am] always have love for this organization. But the facts are now that they want to move on. And now I do too.”
The NFL’s Free Agent Market officially opened Wednesday afternoon. Trades can now be official.
“I still have that fire and I want to play,” Rodger said. “And I would like to play in New York. It’s just about getting that done at this point in time.”
Rodgers said during his appearance on Wednesday’s McAfee show that he was 90 percent certain he would retire before recently going into obscurity for a retreat, then noted that his situation with the Packers was changing had changed.
“Everything I was told the week I was in Green Bay [following last season] was: “Take as long as you want. You know, we want you to retire a packer. [If] you want to come back and play, obviously the door is wide open,'” Rodgers said. “So that’s the information I had in mind. Now, coming out of the darkness, something changed.”
Packers team president Mark Murphy told Green Bay’s WBAY-TV on Friday that Rodgers “had a great career here.” Murphy said in another radio interview that same day that Rodgers would stay with the Packers “if things don’t go the way we want them to.” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said at the NFL combine in Indianapolis that young quarterback Jordan Love, the 2020 first-round draft pick who has been Rodgers’ backup for three seasons, “has to play.”
Rodgers said Wednesday that Love “is going to be a great player.” Rodgers also got his chance to be the Green Bay starter when the team sold Brett Favre to the Jets in 2008.
“I’m hands down the best player in franchise history,” Rodgers said. “I’m definitely in the conversation. Undeniably, I’m the longest-serving Packer in history. … No one has bled green and gold like me. I mean I love this city. I love these fans. I love this region. And I was never a free agent. … It was never about that.
“Now it’s about the reality of the situation. And I think there are probably people who really want to move on. And I understand. I’m not upset about it. I have nothing but love in my heart for every Packer fan and everyone who works in the organization. My life is better because of my time in Green Bay. But we just have to look at the reality. You want to continue. They don’t want me to come back. And that’s okay.”
Free agent wide receiver Allen Lazard, formerly of the Packers, has agreed to a deal with the Jets. But Rodgers denied characterizations that he had made demands for the Jets to sign a list of players he had selected.
“That’s not the reality,” Rodgers said. “It’s so ridiculous. … Well, have you asked me about any specific guys I’ve played with over the years? Naturally. Have I spoken glowingly about teammates I love? Yes, why wouldn’t you? … Do I love the guys on the list? … I have no claims. My only demand is transparency.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/03/15/aaron-rodgers-jets-packers-mcafee/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_homepage Aaron Rodgers, still a packer, says his “intent” is to play for the Jets
