Jets Should Be out on Odell Beckham Jr. amid Latest Aaron Rodgers Rumors

The New York Jets are still waiting for a decision from Aaron Rodgers and whether they can acquire the Green Bay Packers quarterback via a trade.

Over the weekend, SNY's Connor Hughes reported that the Packers and Jets have the framework of a trade "essentially" in place and await word from Rodgers—who could retire, insist he returns to Green Bay or accept a trade to New York.

It certainly sounds as if Rodgers is leaning toward joining the Jets. According to ESPN's Dianna Russini, Rodgers has given New York a free-agency shopping list:

The Jets have already agreed to acquire one player on Rodgers' wishlist. They'll reportedly sign former Packers wideout Allen Lazard to a four-year deal and reunite him with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett:

The Jets are also expected to show interest in Randall Cobb, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Lazard is a quality complementary receiver who should fare well in an offense next to Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis and Elijah Moore. Cobb is a savvy veteran who would make a lot of sense as a depth receiver.

Even 38-year-old tight end Marcedes Lewis could make some sense for the Jets. He's no longer a dynamic threat, but he's a reliable veteran who can block and provide a big red-zone target.

The player from Rodgers' reported list who doesn't make sense is Odell Beckham Jr.

Beckham didn't play in 2022 while recovering from a torn ACL. When we last saw him on the field, he was helping the Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl LVI. In less than four full postseason games that year, Beckham caught 21 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns during the 2021 postseason.

Last week, Beckham held a workout to show teams that he's healthy. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, several teams are interested in Beckham after that workout "generated a buzz."

There's little doubt that Beckham can help a team in 2023. However, New York shouldn't be that team.

The issues for the Jets are twofold. For one, there really isn't an available role for Beckham in the offense. A receiver room of Wilson, Lazard, Moore and Davis is already crowded. If New York adds Cobb, acquiring Beckham would make even less sense.

Beckham has shown that he's a receiver who thrives when he's the focal point of an offense. He was the top target for the New York Giants and had three Pro Bowl campaigns for the franchise. He was a difference-maker as the No. 2 target for the pass-heavy Rams.

Between those two stints, Beckham was just sort of OK as a piece in the run-heavy Cleveland Browns offense. He never appeared comfortable in that role. He probably wouldn't be very satisfied being the third or fourth option for the Jets, either.

The second issue is the cost. According to ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio, Beckham hopes to land a deal worth $20 million annually. There's no way that the Jets should offer him anything close to that when they're already deep at the position.

If New York insists on spending on pass-catchers this offseason, it should instead target a top-tier receiving tight end. Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah are serviceable, and Lewis could be on the radar. However, adding a prolific receiver like Dalton Schultz, Mike Gesicki or former Packer Robert Tonyan Jr. would really round out New York's receiving corps.

If Rodgers is already interested in joining the Jets, it's not as if Beckham will become a deal-breaker (hopefully). New York should be interested in acquiring more players, but Beckham should not be on its radar.