Aaron Rodgers trade rumors lingered for several years as the four-time MVP looked to start a new chapter after 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Those discussions finally led to a trade with the New York Jets landing the 39-year-old quarterback this offseason, but the New England Patriots reportedly tried to get involved too.
The Patriots, who made Mac Jones the 15th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, haven’t been happy with their QB production since Tom Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. Despite Jones being their first-round pick, even he’s faced controversy after backup Bailey Zappe quickly sparked a scoring surge in his first three games of action during Jones’ injury absence last season.
With Jones unable to get the offense firing on all cylinders, the Patriots brought Bill O’Brien in to handle play-calling and coordinating duties as the QB heads into this third season, but New England reportedly tried to make an even bigger addition to their depth chart.
According to Craig Carton, the Patriots made a trade offer for Rodgers in an attempt to jumpstart their offense after several years of struggles. Here’s what Carton had to say on his latest episode of “The Carton Show.”
“Aaron Rodgers almost wasn’t a Jet. The New England Patriots made an offer to the Green Bay Packers to get Aaron Rodgers, and when Aaron Rodgers heard it, his agent said, ‘No, we ain’t playing for New England. We want to be a Jet.”
Craig Carton on New England Patriots’ interest in Aaron Rodgers
It’s fascinating to think that Rodgers, who is now a member of the New York Jets, could have been playing for their rivals with the New England Patriots instead. How awkward would that be? The Jets, with a roster ready to win now, long searching for a QB solution, strike out again, only to see Rodgers head to an AFC East division rival? That would have been tough to swallow.
Not to mention, how awkward would it be for Jones? We see the Jets are holding onto Zach Wilson, hoping he can learn from Rodgers (his childhood idol), but what would the Pats have done with Jones? He’s one year older than Wilson (24 compared to 23) and has a stronger resume. Another team likely would have traded something for Jones, but likely not anything more than a late Day 2 pick, if that.
Ultimately, we’ll never know how the Patriots would have managed with Rodgers at the helm or what the Jets would have done instead. But it’s still a fascinating ‘what if’ scenario to think about.
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