Rich CiminiReading: 4 min.
Robert Saleh is sure that the quarterback will be in New York by 2023 and confessed that Odell Beckham Jr. is also on his radar
PHOENIX — The head coach of the New York Jets, Robert Salehgo on “trusted” in what Aaron Rodgers will be their quarterback for the 2023 season and that he would love to see Odell Beckham Jr. catch some passes from Rodgers.
Speaking to the press Monday at the NFL annual meeting, Saleh confirmed the team’s interest in the free agent wide receiver. As to Rodgers, Saleh said that the Jets They’re in no rush to finalize a trade with the Green Bay Packers, noting they could possibly wait until training camp in late July.
“I’m not pressing the panic button,” he declared. Saleh.
“I am confident that things will work out,” he added. “You guys know me. I’m a very positive and optimistic person, so I’m trusted that things will turn out as we expect. But at the same time, it won’t consume me.”
It’s been 13 days since the Packers quarterback, speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, publicly committed to the Jets. Since then, both teams have been unable to negotiate trade compensation. The Packers are reportedly looking for a package that includes the first-round pick of the Jets (No. 13 overall) and the Jets They don’t want to part with it.
Due to the rules of not negotiating with players under contract with another team, Saleh did not mention Rodgers by name and avoided direct questions about the team’s interest in him. However, he left no doubt that he counts on a four-time NFL MVP being his quarterback, with former second overall pick Zach Wilson looming as his backup. There is no backup option if, for some reason, the redemption of Rodgers It is coming down. Saleh he did not want to discuss that scenario.
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Ideally, they would like Rodgers will participate in the off-season program, which begins on April 17 and ends in mid-June, but Saleh indicated that this is not required.
Clearly, the Jets They don’t want to appear antsy as they try to bolster their lead in negotiations with the Packers. That may explain why Saleh did not close the door on the possibility of waiting until training camp for the arrival of Rodgers.
“If there is a great relationship with the coordinator, there really is no urgency,” he said. Saleh. “The quarterback, if he understands the system, if the quarterback knows it, it’s just a matter of refining the skills and doing all those things. So there’s no rush.”
Definitely, Saleh he was alluding to the solid relationship of Rodgers with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. When Rodgers stated his “intent” to play for the Jetscited Hackett as one of the main reasons.
In theory, the Packers might want to complete the trade before the draft so they can recoup compensation. If it doesn’t happen by then, they could wait until after June 1 because there would be a significant salary cap benefit. Meanwhile, the Packers seem determined to make their team happy. Rodgers adding players that he suggested.
Los Jetswho have already signed former Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard, are hoping to land Beckham, another name on the so-called Wish List. Rodgers. A source said the Jets have been in talks with the 30-year-old wide receiver, who is coming off his second ACL injury.
“He’s been a fantastic receiver in this league,” he said. Saleh. “Everything you hear about him, he’s a phenomenal person. That’s something you always have to look at, turn every stone, making sure you’re not missing an opportunity to add a great player. And there’s no guarantee that something will happen.”
There has been a lot of movement at the wide receiver position. The Jets They released Braxton Berrios, traded Elijah Moore and signed Lazard and Mecole Hardman, a former Kansas City Chiefs player. Saleh said the addition of Hardman allowed them to trade Moore to the Cleveland Browns.
Saleh he said they were not offering Moore, but received “a lot of phone calls” once Hardman was acquired. He called the trade a “no brainer” for general manager Joe Douglas, who drafted Moore in the second round of the 2021 draft.
In other staff news, Saleh he committed to Wilson as his second quarterback despite his deep-seated issues last season. He also ended speculation about Carl Lawson’s roster spot, saying he wants the defensive end on the roster despite his $15.7 million salary cap impact.
