Aaron Rodgers hinting at a Jets move? Packers QB tells Brandon Marshall to ‘stay tuned’

In another sign of hope for Jets fans, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers appeared to indicate that he might be moving to New York in the near future.

The four-time MVP was asked by former Jets receiver Brandon Marshall about his rumored move to New York on a recent podcast, and he responded by telling the retired NFL star: “Stay tuned.”

When Marshall pressed for more information, Rodgers, 39, responded by saying “that’s all I’m giving you,” before adding “there’s a time limit on all of this.”

That “time limit” Rodgers referred to could be the NFL’s Wednesday deadline for all teams to be below the league’s $224.8 million salary cap.

The Jets cleared some salary cap space Saturday by renegotiating several existing player contracts, apparently in an effort to clear room for Rodgers’ $31 million salary cap figure for the 2023 season. they got $15.1 million in cap space by restricting deals for left guard Laken Tomlinson, cornerback DJ Reed and tight end Tyler Conklin.

Rodgers was asked about his rumored move to New York on a recent podcast by former Jets catcher Brandon Marshall, and he responded by telling the retired NFL star: “Stay tuned.”

Marshall and Rodgers spoke at the RX Flag Football charity event in Laguna Beach, California, on the former’s podcast, I Am Athlete.

Owner Woody Johnson and front office staff spoke with the Green Bay Packers quarterback in his native California this week, and while there was optimism ahead of the trip that they could convince Rodgers to agree to a move to New York, the Jets they are now more confident after the meeting.

On Twitter, ESPN’s Dianna Russini explained that “Johnson left the meeting excited and pleased with the potential match.”

Asked by Marshall about the meeting, a tight-lipped Rodgers said that “it’s always interesting to meet big figures in sports” but didn’t offer much more.

Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy confirmed that the team has given the Jets permission to speak with Rodgers and would accept a trade request if they did.

Murphy made those comments Friday while speaking during a broadcast of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association women’s basketball championships that aired on Green Bay television station WCWF.

“We are very hopeful that we can come to a resolution that works not only for Aaron but for us as well,” Murphy said.

The Jets restructured the contracts of three different players, including Laken Tomlinson

Noted cornerback DJ Reed also restructured his contract after one season in New York.

Tight end Tyler Conklin rounded out the trio of starters to get restructured contracts on Saturday

Rodgers has said since the end of the season that he is still deciding whether to return to the Packers, request a trade or retire. Rodgers has also flagged the possibility that the Packers may want to go ahead and hand the starting quarterback job to 2020 first-round draft pick Jordan Love.

The Jets have already made one major move apparently aimed at luring Rodgers into requesting a trade to New York by hiring their former offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett.

Another move could be in the works, according to nfl reporter tyler dunnewho says the Jets are one of four teams interested in former Packers running back Jamaal Williams.

Jets owner Woody Johnson (right), general manager Joe Douglas (left), head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett flew to California on Tuesday with Rodgers, ESPN reported earlier in the week.

Rodgers hasn’t made any professional decisions since coming out of a dark four-day retreat in the Oregon desert, where he was expected to contemplate his next move, whether it be retiring, forcing a trade or another season in Green Bay.

The Jets appear motivated to make a deal after missing out on free agent quarterback Derek Carr, who agreed to a four-year, $150 million deal with the New Orleans Saints on Monday. The former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback had been considered a viable option for the Jets, who are rumored to be interested in replacing struggling starter Zach Wilson with a more experienced veteran.

Meanwhile, Jets players have apparently forgotten about Wilson entirely as they took to social media to beg Rodgers to come to New York.

Jets cornerback Willow Gardner and running back Breece Hall didn’t make the trip west, but they did make their sales pitches on social media.

Gardner directly mentioned Rodgers on Twitter, telling him, “I promise if you become a Jet, I won’t cut you out in practice” and vowing to burn the cheesehead hat he wore in Green Bay last season when the Jets caused a 27 -10 upset by the Packers at Lambeau Field.

Hall, similarly, seemed excited at the prospect of playing with Rodgers.

“Don’t worry about me… Just protesting @Aaron Rodgers,” the 21-year-old tweeted.

Jets CB Sauce Gardner and RB Breece Hall are pitching for Aaron Rodgers to move to New York

The declining Packers fell to 8-9 last season, and appear to be in need of a rebuild that could be helped by trading Rodgers and his remaining salary.

Rodgers has $108.8 million left on his current contract, which runs through 2026, though that season and 2025 are considered “fictional” years that are only on the books for salary cap purposes.

His contract is fully guaranteed for $59.5 million this season, most of which comes in the form of a bonus before the start of the regular season, according to ESPN.

But the Jets wouldn’t necessarily be suffering for the cap space if they acquired it, because Rodgers’ bonus was prorated on his current three-year contract. In all, he would have $15.8 million against his team’s salary cap in 2023 and $32.5 million for 2024, according to ESPN.

Meanwhile, the Packers would still have $40.3 million of Rodgers’ salary for 2023 on their books should they trade him. That’s a whopping 18 percent of the NFL’s $224.8 million salary cap for this year.

The Jets are coming off a 7-10 season, in which they boasted fifth-ranked defense, as well as offensive and defensive Rookie of the Year honors in receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner.

The areas of greatest concern for coach Robert Saleh’s team were on the offensive line and at quarterback, where Zach Wilson finished 34th in the NFL with a dismal 72.8 quarterback rating.

Fourth-year quarterback Mike White played well at times, but he’s also entering free agency and it’s unclear if he’ll return.

Mike White (left) replaced the Jets last season when Zach Wilson moved down the order