Aaron Rodgers Trade Rumors: 'Jets or Bust' as Raiders, Panthers Not Eyeing Packers QB

The New York Jets will have the runway all to themselves in the race to get Aaron Rodgers in a potential trade with the Green Bay Packers.

Appearing on SportsCenter, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said it appears to be "Jets or bust" for the four-time NFL MVP right now, because other teams that might be looking for a quarterback, including the Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders, don't currently appear to be involved.

Teams like the Raiders and Panthers have the luxury of picking in the top 10 in this year's draft. They could potentially pursue a long-term solution at quarterback by taking one of the top players at the position in the class.

The Jets, whose first draft pick is at No. 13 overall, have been engaged in a full-court press this week to entice Rodgers.

ESPN's Rob Demovsky and Dan Graziano reported on Tuesday they sent a contingent that included owner Woody Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to California to meet with Rodgers.

Per ESPN's Dianna Russini, the Packers have given the Jets permission to speak with the 10-time Pro Bowler.

Even though the Packers haven't officially said where they stand with Rodgers, giving another team permission to speak with him at least indicates they are willing to move on with Jordan Love or someone else as their starting quarterback in 2023.

Rodgers also has yet to formally announce his plans going forward. He has teased potentially retiring, but the Jets are presumably optimistic that won't be the case if they are going this hard after him.

Fowler noted the meeting between Rodgers and the Jets went well, and New York came out of it believing there was mutual interest from the 39-year-old.

The Jets would have to do some cap maneuvering to fit in Rodgers' contract if they can work out a trade with the Packers. They are currently $315,519 over the cap. Rodgers has a $31.6 million cap hit and is owed a $58.3 million option bonus that must be picked up at any point between March 17 and the start of the 2023 regular season.

Rodgers has spent his entire 18-year career with the Packers, leading the franchise to a Super Bowl victory after the 2010 season. He finished the 2022 campaign with 3,695 yards, 26 touchdowns and a 64.6 completion percentage.