Mar 2, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas talks to the media during the 2022 NFL Combine. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Tell me you don’t know anything about Joe Douglas without telling me you don’t know anything about Joe Douglas. This would seem an appropriate response to a surprising number of supposed NFL insiders and dopey bloggers as it pertains to the Jets current pursuit of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
All we know for sure about the current state of negotiations is that we don’t know anything for sure about the current state of the negotiations. Some are assuming it’s about the Packers wanting the 13th overall pick for their one-year rental, while others insist it’s about who will be paying how much money to the future Hall of Fame quarterback. Then there’s Trey Wingo, who seems to be the only one who has gotten anything right, and he’s on record is saying the deal is almost completed.
At least one Packers shareholder (and certified public accountant to boot), believes Green Bay is in penny pinching mode because of the huge cap hit they’re going to absorb in the deal. But again, nobody on the outside knows for sure.
That still hasn’t stopped a wave of writers, fans and pundits from making bold claims along the lines of “The Jets have no ‘plan B'”, or “Joe Douglas has no other option other than Rodgers unless he wants to sign Blaine Gabbert”. This, according to Aaron Nagler
Anyone making such claims is wholly unaware of Joe Douglas’ history as a General Manager. When it comes to Douglas, whether he’s making a trade or handing out a contract, he sets his price and stands pat. Something that we discussed here on JetNation radio with Chris Schubert of The Draft Network.
We saw it when the Jets were outbid for safety Marcus Williams, when they traded Jamal Adams and when they shipped Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers. Douglas stood pat and got what he wanted. And in both cases, got far more than any insider could have predicted.
Othes believe Joe Douglas will feel the pressure of having to get a deal done because new Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard complimented Rodgers at one point. Yes. This is a real thing.
It’s safe to say at this point that Joe Douglas didn’t ship Elijah Moore off to Cleveland to immediately turn around and add Rodgers, because here we sit days after the move and still no word on the QB.
With so many insiders unable to glean anything of substance from the current negotiations, how in the world can they be taken seriously when they say the Jets have no “plan B”. Does anyone seriously believe that if the Rodgers deal doesn’t happen, that the Jets are going to put the phone down and get back to the drawing board?
Or is it more likely that the team has a short list of veterans who may be available via trade? If medically cleared, would the team not make some calls about Matthew Stafford? The Rams are short on picks and would probably like to unload Stafford’s deal. This would give the Jets a veteran QB who won a Super Bowl just two seasons ago.
Ryan Tannehill could be another option despite the Titans verbally committing to the signal caller. Both would be of a lower quality than Rodgers, but both are easily good enough to make a post-season run if the Jets defense plays anywhere close to the level it did in 2022.
Then of course there’s Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. The least likely of the three due to his current club being likely to match any offer that comes in, but that doesn’t mean the Jets can’t (or won’t) kick the tires.
Meanwhile, the only team involved in the deal with no real plan B is the Packers. Should Green Bay fail to move Rodgers, they would be stuck with a player they don’t want, who will cost them roughly $100 million in cash and cap hits over the next two years.
In the end there will likely be a deal, but don’t pay any attention to the insiders whose info is little more than wishful thinking.