Jason McCourty believes Aaron Rodgers will make the Jets’ Super Bowl goals ‘realistic’
One-time Super Bowl champ Jason McCourty has claimed Aaron Rodgers’ arrival in the Big Apple this season will dramatically change the Jets’ goals this season, with the former cornerback adding that at least one team in New York City could go into Super Bowl change. contenders this season.
Appearing on the NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” show on Tuesday, McCourty, 35, shared, “Every off-season, teams talk during training camp about what their goals are for the year.”
The Jets finished last season with an overall record of 7–10, finishing on a six-game losing streak that extended the NFL’s longest active playoff drought to a franchise-record 12 consecutive years.
McCourt, who went from playing an 0-16 team (the 2017 Cleveland Browns) one year to winning a Super Bowl the next season (2018 LIII with the Patriots), added, “Once you were able to trade for Aaron Rodgers, those goals just became realistic, “referring to New York’s chances of making the 2024 Super Bowl, dramatically increased following the Green Bay Packers’ near-official trade on Monday of the 39-year-old.”
“Once you could trade for Aaron Rodgers, those goals just became realistic. […] It’s everything to the New York Jets.”
Jason McCourty (L), 35, is a Super Bowl champion “with the Pats” (pictured with his brother, Devin)
McCourty believes the Jets staged a major coup by trading for veteran Rodgers, 39
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said at a pre-draft press conference on Monday that the blockbuster deal is not yet finalized, but should be finalized before the draft begins on Thursday, April 27.
“We expected it to happen very soon, hopefully soon,” Gutekunst said. ‘A lot has been agreed. Some things to go through.’
According to reports, the Jets will receive Rodgers, the number 15 overall pick and a fifth-rounder this year from the Packers. In return, Green Bay gets the 13th overall selection, a second-rounder (No. 42) and a sixth-rounder this year and a conditional second-round pick in 2024 who can become a first-rounder if Rodgers gets 65 percent of the plays games. for New York this season.
“We’re worried,” Johnson told reporters at the league’s annual meetings on March 28. “I think looking ahead, we are optimistic. But we have a plan, so we are willing to stick to our plan. And I don’t think anyone is hyperventilating right now.’
It took some time, but the parties were finally able to agree on compensation after a deadlock over New York’s 2024 first round. The deal completes Rodgers’ desire to play for Gang Green after Zach Wilson – the No. overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft – struggled mightily in his first two seasons.
Rodgers – a one-time Super Bowl champion – will also reunite with a familiar face in offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, as they will both attempt to launch an offensive that was among the worst in the NFL under coordinator Mike LaFleur, the younger brother of Matt, Rogers. coach in Green Bay for the past four years.
Rodgers joins some promising young playmakers on offense, including wide receiver Garrett Wilson, the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and running back Breece Hall.
“There are many reasons why the Jets are attractive,” Rodgers said during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “But there is one coach who has meant as much to me as any other coach I’ve ever had. And he happens to be the coordinator there.’
Rodgers’ arrival at Florham Park will reunite him with former Packers coach, Nathaniel Hackett
Saleh acknowledged a few times this offseason that the Jets were looking for an experienced quarterback to add to a team with a top-five defense. And Johnson said he was “absolutely” on board with paying an established signal caller — “the missing piece,” he called it — if GM Joe Douglas could get him.
They eventually got one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Rodgers said shortly after the end of the season that he was making a decision about whether to return to the Packers for a 19th season, retire or request a trade. Meanwhile, the Jets explored a few quarterback options, including meeting free agent Derek Carr at their facility and then rejoining the NFL club in Indianapolis.
But after Carr agreed to the terms to sign with New Orleans, it became even clearer that New York would go all in on Rodgers – as long as he wanted to play there.
It is reminiscent of the stunning transaction the Jets made in 2008 when they acquired Brett Favre – who also turned 39 a few months later – from the Packers. And, coincidentally, paving the way for Rodgers to start in Green Bay.
Rodgers was the league’s MVP in 2020 and 2021, but didn’t perform as well last season as he played with a broken right thumb and had to deal with the absence of star wideout Davante Adams, who was traded to Las Vegas.
He had his lowest passer rating as a starter (91.1) and threw 12 interceptions, his highest total since 2008. The Packers went 8–9 and missed the playoffs to end a three-game streak consecutive NFC North titles.