The New York Jets had their eyes set on a blockbuster trade for Green Bay Packers’ star quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the offseason. However, it turns out they had a backup plan in place if the deal fell through. Reports have revealed that the Jets made an exploratory call to the Los Angeles Rams, enquiring about the availability of their quarterback Matthew Stafford.
The Jets’ interest in Rodgers was well-known, as the veteran quarterback expressed his desire to be traded to New York after the 2022 season. While an agreement was eventually reached with the Packers, there were moments of uncertainty during the negotiation process.
In light of this uncertainty, the Jets reached out to the Rams to gauge their interest in trading Stafford. However, the response from Los Angeles was clear – they had no intention of parting ways with their star quarterback, who still had three years remaining on his contract.
Stafford joined the Rams in January 2021 after being traded from the Detroit Lions. In his first season with the Rams, he helped lead the team to a Super Bowl victory. Although his second season proved to be more challenging, Stafford remains a key element of the Rams’ plans for the future.
The Jets’ decision to explore other options demonstrates their determination to secure a new quarterback. While the trade for Rodgers eventually materialized, it is clear that the team was not willing to sit idly by in their pursuit of a signal-caller.
In March 2022, Stafford signed a lucrative four-year deal with the Rams worth £128 million. This contract will keep him in Los Angeles until the end of the 2025 NFL regular season. The 35-year-old quarterback has shown his value to the Rams, as evidenced by their successful start to the 2023 regular season with a 30-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
The Jets’ backup plan may not have come to fruition, but it highlights their proactive approach to building a competitive team. As the NFL season unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how Rodgers performs in his new role with the Jets, while Stafford continues to lead the charge for the Rams.
As the dust settles on the offseason trading frenzy, it is clear that the landscape of the NFL has shifted. The Jets’ pursuit of Rodgers and their subsequent exploration of other options exemplify the ever-changing nature of professional football. Fans around the world eagerly await the start of the new season, where these quarterbacks and their teams will aim to write their own chapters in the league’s history.
