ESPN: Jimmy Garoppolo, Veteran QB Trade Possible for Jets If No Aaron Rodgers Deal

The New York Jets and Green Bay Packers continue to be engaged in trade discussions for Aaron Rodgers, per ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, and pretty far along in those negotiations.

If those talks fall through, however, Graziano noted that he believes the Jets will "take a run at Jimmy Garoppolo" but also "consider other options, including trades for veterans (Lamar Jackson? Kirk Cousins? Matthew Stafford?) who could be on the block for one reason or another."

Going from the possibility of Rodgers to the reality of Garoppolo would obviously be a pretty significant letdown for the Jets. Rodgers is a 10-time Pro Bowler, four-time MVP and a one-time champion. Garoppolo is a two-time champion, though he earned those as Tom Brady's backup in New England.

There is an argument to be made that Garoppolo actually played better than Rodgers in the 2022 season, albeit in six fewer games:

• Rodgers in 2022: 3,695 yards, 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 64.6 completion percentage, 32 sacks taken in 17 games.
• Garoppolo in 2022: 2,437, 16 touchdowns, four interceptions, 67.2 completion percentage, 18 sacks taken in 11 games.

The counter-argument is that Rodgers battled through a broken thumb on his throwing hand that obviously impacted his level of play.

Rodgers is also 39; Garoppolo is 31. Neither would be the long-term solution at quarterback for the Jets, however—Rodgers because he may not play more than one additional season given his age, Garoppolo because he simply isn't a franchise quarterback. Both would be short-term fixes.

Both, however, would also be an improvement over the disappointing Zach Wilson or Mike White.

The bigger question might be why the Jets don't make a major push for Jackson. He's only 26 and would better fit the timeline of the team's young core, he's already been an MVP, he would be the most exciting and marketable quarterback the Jets have had since arguably Joe Namath and he's available.

Yes, it would require an enormous offer sheet that the Baltimore Ravens wouldn't want to match, and two first-round picks on top of that (unless the two sides worked out a sign-and-trade deal). But he'd bring the short-term upside of Rodgers with additional long-term stability at the position, and he'd be a far better option than Garoppolo.

Add it all up, and it's a bit odd that it doesn't seem to be a greater consideration for the Jets.