The Jets misplaced their leverage in an Aaron Rodgers commerce

The New York Jets and Inexperienced Bay Packers appear to be locked in some kind of Texas standoff within the Aaron Rodgers commerce. Neither aspect shifting an inch, neither aspect getting up from the desk however making it very clear that compensation is the one factor holding up this commerce. With each side seemingly gazing one another like anxious center schoolers at a dance, the subject of “leverage” has come up. Who has the higher hand on this acquisition of the longer term Corridor of Fame QB? What is going to the compensation be?

Then the Jets occurred.

The Jets spoke to Aaron Rodgers first earlier than going to the Packers with any precise compensation or a deal in place, nullifying their leverage (the Packers did grant the Jets the flexibility to speak to Rodgers). They put the cart earlier than the horse, and by doing that ensured that the Packers would maintain all of the playing cards at this desk.

Let’s be clear: there is just one staff that’s in on the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes, and that’s the New York Jets. No different staff has reportedly been , and Rodgers himself mentioned on the Pat McAfee Present that he intends on taking part in subsequent 12 months in New York for the Jets. The Jets have already begun to assemble the Knights of the Rodgers desk, together with Nathaniel Hackett, who would be the Jets offensive coordinator, and Allen Lazard.

Once more, that is all being completed and not using a deal in place for Rodgers. Primarily, the Jets are getting every thing prepared for Rodgers with out really being near a deal for him. Whereas being the one staff might presumably swing a number of the energy again to the Jets, New York additionally has no different contingency plan if this falls by way of. They’ve gotten into mattress with Rodgers, and ensured that there’s no different choice however him. Zach Wilson goes to be the staff’s backup, behind…Christ Streveler at this level. New York made it clear that they’re not going after Lamar Jackson, citing being “disingenuous and being in dangerous religion” in the event that they did.

So this brings them again to the Packers brass, however now they haven’t any different plan B. It’s both Rodgers or bust, which works in Inexperienced Bay’s favor.

Now let’s look at this from the Packers’ perspective. Rodgers is finished in Inexperienced Bay; each the Packers and their former QB have acknowledged that. Nonetheless, Rodgers isn’t retiring, so the rights to his totally assured contract wouldn’t be forfeited. If the Packers have been certainly buying and selling Rodgers, they must eat round $40 million in lifeless cap, which is one thing that’ll need to be mentioned in commerce negotiations with the Jets. The cap hit if Rodgers was launched would even be huge, so a commerce is the one possible factor.

Nonetheless, with Jordan Love already within the fold and Packers brass ensuring that he’s going to be the starter subsequent 12 months, the Packers might simply maintain on to Rodgers previous the draft till the Jets make a proposal that’s extra appropriate to their wants. They don’t want to commerce Aaron Rodgers proper now; the Jets want to commerce for Rodgers proper now, as a result of they haven’t any different selection.

Proper now, the Packers have the leverage. They’ll ask for a primary spherical choose (thirteenth total choose this 12 months maybe) and if the Jets say no, then they’ll await a greater supply. They’re not those determined to make a deal. New York has already informed Rodgers that they need him there, and Rodgers desires to be there. Now the Jets need to make a proposal the Packers like, but it surely didn’t need to be this manner. They went to Rodgers first, with out having any compensation beforehand, and now have booked themselves right into a nook.

The Jets had the proper alternative to get Rodgers with out dropping all of their leverage. Nonetheless, by way of one misstep they conceded the leverage to the Packers and now have had the tables turned on them.