By Jason Alwang
The NFL has been busy ever since the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl. Busy in the sense that the offseason has been very interesting. The main story of this offseason has been surrounded by two players, who both happen to be Quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson both are the most talked about players in this offseason currently.
Aaron Rodgers who of course has been with the Green Bay Packers his whole career, four-time MVP, at the age of 39, is at the point of his career where he wants to move on from the organization. For him, he’s ready for change. Rodgers spent days in what he had called a “darkness retreat” where he cleared his mind to help him with his decision. “I gotta admit I went into the darkness 90% retiring, 10% playing,” (USA Today). Rodgers on the Pat MacAfee Show was convinced he was going to retire, but when he had come out back into the world, he wanted to keep going. That’s when he realized it wasn’t with Green Bay, but with the New York Jets.
Rodgers also noted that the hold up in the trade talks is the compensation on the Packers side. Reports have come out that they want two first rounders from the Jets. But the Jets, think of that as to big an ask. It is fully expected Rodgers will be a Jet, just a matter of when right now. Bailey Lash, a sophomore at Bryant University spoke on the trade and what he expects of it. “I think the Packers will get a good player, along with draft picks. The Packers seem to be asking for a little much right now, and the Jets aren’t willing at the moment to give up what they’re asking.”
The Jets already seem to be prepping for Rodgers impending trade by adding a couple new weapons to the offensive side of the ball. Allen Lazard, who already was teammates with Rodgers has come to New York. Also, Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman, who is known to be strong in the slot and is a two time super bowl champion, with that, all the signs point to this happening.
The Jets have also gotten interest from free agent Odell Beckham Jr. and adding him would make the Jets one of the top offenses, on top of what they already have. “With the additions to the Jets and what’s to come, there is no reason the Jets shouldn’t make the playoffs and potentially go far.” Lash stated. It would be a long time coming for Jet fans.
Current Baltimore Ravens Quarterback and former MVP Lamar Jackson has been talked about an awful lot ever since the Ravens place the non-exclusive franchise tag on him. With that tag, it allows other teams to potentially place a bid for Jackson. Now no one exactly knows what is going on with Jackson at the moment. The assumption is he wants to get paid more than what the Ravens have been offering. Most thought that by giving him the non-exclusive, other teams would be heavily interested but that’s not the case. So many have fallen back and just believe that Jackson will eventually resign to a contract extension with the Ravens. “I think he will stay in Baltimore. There aren’t enough teams interested in trading for Lamar for it to be worth it to the Ravens.” Lash said after being asked on if he will get traded or stay on Baltimore. The confusion around Lamar Jackson will hopefully be settled sometime soon. Until then, all Ravens fans can do is sit and wait to see if their former MVP quarterback will return.
Both Rodgers and Jackson have been the prime newsworthy people to lookout for In this offseason. The Rodgers situation is expected to fall through, it’s just a waiting game. For Jackson, it could be a longer waiting game, because no one really knows what’s going to happen.
