Aaron Rodgers hoping to lure multiple ex-teammates to Jets?

Florham Park, NJ May 31, 2023 — Aaron Rodgers during the Jets OTA. Photo Credit: Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Aaron Rodgers was vocal last offseason in telling the New York Jets which players he wanted them to pursue, and the star quarterback may take the same approach heading into 2024.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini on Sunday listed several players who could be on the “Rodgers 2024 watch list.” The most obvious is star wide receiver Davante Adams. There were multiple reports that the Jets tried to acquire Adams at the trade deadline earlier this season, and it appears they will make another attempt in the coming weeks.

Another player that Cimini anticipates Rodgers recruiting is Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari, who is one of Rodgers’ closest friends. Bakhtiari is a strong candidate to be cut this offseason, as the 32-year-old has a base salary of $10.7 million in 2024 and has had multiple knee surgeries in recent years.

The same could be true of star running back Aaron Jones, who will count more than $17 million against the salary cap next season. Rodgers may want to play with Jones in New York, as Cimini says the veteran quarterback “is a big fan” of Jones.

The question is how much input Jets general manager Joe Douglas wants Rodgers to have. When the Jets were working to lure Rodgers away from Green Bay, the four-time MVP had his new team bring in players like Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb. Neither has made an impact this season, though it is possible they would have had Rodgers not torn his Achilles in Week 1.

Rodgers recently made a surprising revelation about how long he plans to play, so the Jets will likely do everything they can to keep him happy. That may mean making a big splash or two at his request this offseason.