Aaron Rodgers: Joe Banner says New York Jets have all the leverage over Green Bay Packers

Joe Banner, the former president of the Philadelphia Eagles, has claimed that the New York Jets have all the clout in the world to complete a trade with the Green Bay Packers for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Considered by many to be one of the most successful executives in NFL history, Banner, who led the Eagles to the second-most playoff wins during the 2000s (behind only Tom Brady and the New England Patriots ), is adamant about the Jets. ‘ chances of being able to play the long-term waiting game ‘without any risk or consequence’.

The Packers, by waiting, risk the Jets not being interested, for some reason, and then they have nobody. [to trade with]which really ruins his team for two, probably three years,” said the 70-year-old, who was also CEO of the Cleveland Browns from 2012-13. the new york post office.

‘Believing the Jets will do something that reflects impatience is not influence. That’s just hoping they’re stupid. Leverage is putting the Packers in a position where they could lose the only team in interest, which creates a complete disaster for them.”

On Sunday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler told “SportsCenter” that trade talks between the Jets and Packers began before Super Bowl LVII, and that the Jets’ front office believes it can afford to be patient as its members trust that things will work out. in his favor.

Rodgers also has leverage to force the move because of his hefty $60 million salary, Banner claims

The matchup could also take a while as Green Bay isn’t feeling any pressure to pay Rodgers his $58 million option bonus through Week 1 of the 2023 season, meaning there’s no real deadline to agree to a trade. .

The Jets’ offseason schedules don’t start until April 17, but since Rodgers knows the new ‘Gang Green’ offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, from their time together in Green Bay, he wouldn’t need as much time as he normally would. a new recruit. adapt to the offensive system of a team.

Banner believes the Jets are under some pressure to make the trade due to the team’s unreliable options at quarterback, but even more so, he believes the Packers are in an untenable position as there is no way they can get Rodgers back. .

The Packers have been flirting with the idea of ​​starting a new quarterback era with Jordan Love for some time now, and Rodgers’ $60 million salary and accompanying salary-cap charges could prove to be a financial burden on the Packers. franchise.

That’s the exact reason behind Banner’s unwillingness to offer Green Bay a first-round pick if he were the Jets, he says. Banner added that he wouldn’t even include a second-round pick in the deal, but he believes members of the Jets’ front office will eventually want to reach an agreement with their peers in Wisconsin.

“If I’m the Jets, I’m going to get as little as I can, and I’m not going to put anyone at risk no matter what,” Banner said. ‘Why put one on the table when all you’re gaining is getting it a little earlier, maybe? The Packers have to give up at some point.

The former Eagles president, from 1995 to 2012, said the Jets could make the Packers hit the panic button by bringing in another high-level quarterback to visit.

“If I were the Jets, I would bring Lamar Jackson over even if he wasn’t interested,” Banner said. ‘So the Packers are saying, ‘Holy [bleep], they have an alternative and we do not. We better close the deal.”

Banner also insisted that the Jets should put on a poker face when recruiting a new QB.

If granted, Rodgers would meet at Florham Park with new Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett (pictured with Rodgers, right, in 2022)

The Jets are heavy favorites to get Rodgers because no other team shows any real signs of interest in potentially trading for the 39-year-old field general.

“The Jets want the deal for very good reasons,” Banner said, adding: “The Packers absolutely have to make a deal, and they can only have one potential partner as we sit here, and it’s hard to imagine a second creating itself. The Jets have to be strong enough to trust that knowledge.’

It’s no secret that Rodgers wants to move to Florham Park, following his declaration of intent to play for the Jets next season on The Pat McAfee Show last week.

Banner claims that the four-time NFL MVP can have all the leverage, himself, to complete a deal, ASAP.

“If Rodgers walked into the Green Bay front office and said, if you don’t trade me to the Jets right now for a reasonable price, I won’t cooperate with any other trade, right now, the only option the Packers have is to find a way to shut down. the deal with the Jets or bring Rodgers back, which they can’t do,” the former Atlanta Falcons front office consultant said.

Banner’s bottom line is that any trade involving Rodgers will test the organization, in terms of its league standing among other franchises.

‘This is the real sign if the Jets have changed under [Joe] Douglas and he got smart and has the ability to do what the really smart teams in the league do,” Banner said.

‘Or are they going to be like they’ve been for a while and not make the smartest decision and not have great success on the field? For me, this is a moment where we will see.