Packers' Aaron Rodgers Talks Nathaniel Hackett Relationship amid Jets Trade Rumors

Speculation connecting Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets has grown ever since Gang Green hired Nathaniel Hackett to be their new offensive coordinator.

Hackett served as the Packers' offensive coordinator from 2019-2021, a time when Green Bay won 13 games each season and Rodgers won NFL MVP in the latter two years. Rodgers has been effusive in his praise of Hackett numerous times.

With Rodgers' 2023 future in limbo, Pat McAfee asked him if Hackett's hire—or anyone else's—could sway his career decision.

"No, I can't [answer if that has any impact on my desire to keep playing]," Rodgers said. "There's not a great answer I can give you. We all have certain coaches that have meant a lot to us over the years and have created those really special rooms to play in, special feelings on game day, made the weeks better.

"Obviously, Nathaniel's one of those guys. I would say there's been a handful of coaches over the years who have been just on another, different level. Guys who just kind of bonded with more than other guys. And it's not a shot at any other coach you've played with, it's just like with teammates. Some guys you love, and some guys you love and you spend more time with them off the field."

Hackett left Green Bay to become the Denver Broncos' head coach, but he was fired after a 4-11 start. The Jets soon hired Hackett, and they have since gone public in their determination to find a "veteran" quarterback, as noted by head coach Robert Saleh.

As noted by Zach Kruse of Packers Wire, Rodgers isn't sure if he wants to return to the playing field in 2023, let alone the Packers.

"Do I feel like I have anything left to prove to myself?" he said. "Do I want to go back and gear up for another grind? Is it time to step away? Is it time for another voice to be leading this team? I think I need to get away and contemplate those things."

The options appear to be a return to Green Bay, retirement or a trade elsewhere. As far as the last option goes, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Packers would explore a trade to an AFC team. A return to the field in 2023 would also mean Rodgers takes a guaranteed $59,465,000 salary, per Over the Cap.

Rodgers is under contract with the Packers, and he does not have a no-trade clause. The Jets may be interested in him (as well as the Las Vegas Raiders' Derek Carr and San Francisco 49ers' Jimmy Garappolo), per CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, but the Packers could simply find a better deal from another team.

New York appears desperate for a quarterback, however, and the Hackett-Rodgers relationship is hard to ignore. Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, has struggled mightily to the point where he was benched two different times this season. He finished last among all qualified passers in quarterback rating as well.

His future in New York is shrouded with doubt, to the point where the team is not publicly committing to him being the starter in 2023.

The rest of the team appears ready to compete for the playoffs thanks to the No. 4 scoring defense in football (led by likely Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year cornerback Sauce Gardner). and tremendous young talent on the offensive side (e.g. wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall).

Rodgers could certainly be a great short-term fit in New York, but there's still so much uncertainty at this time about where he may ultimately end up.