New York Jets owner opens up on quarterback plans amid Brady and Rodgers links

12 January 2023 , 20:37

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Aaron Rodgers could be on the market at the end of the season (Image: Morry Gash/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has insisted he's ready to spend big on a new veteran quarterback after the disappointing year from Zach Wilson. The Jets benched Wilson towards the end of the season, and are expected to move on from him in the off-season.

Despite showing flashes of quality, the Jets were ultimately disappointing in their offence, with Wilson paying the price. Now, they're set to spend big on a veteran rather than try to trade for a younger player or drafting a quarterback.

A number of top names have been linked with the starting spot at MetLife Stadium, as an exciting offseason approaches in the quarterback position. Tom Brady is expected to enter free agency at the end of his Tampa Bay Buccaneers contract, and Aaron Rodgers could well be traded after he suggested it could be time to walk away from the team.

Speaking on Thursday, Johnson said there was room to spend on a new quarterback - so long as the team remained under the salary cap. He said: "We've got a cap so there's an amount you can spend. But, yeah, yeah. That's kind of the missing piece."

The Jets will likely have a lot of options available to them in the off-season, with a number of top-tier quarterbacks set to be available. Along with Brady and Rodgers, Las Vegas Raiders star Derek Carr will leave the franchise and be available in a trade.

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A move to the Jets makes a lot of sense for Brady, who has three children at school on the east coast. The seven-time Super Bowl champion isn't expected to return to the Buccaneers for next season, and could end up back at the New England Patriots - or the Las Vegas Raiders.

Zach Wilson was benched towards the end of the season

NFL expert Danny Heifetz suggested for the Ringer that the Jets could instead look to make a trade for Green Bay Packers star Rodgers, who hinted earlier in the week that he could leave.

Rodgers signed a new contract with the Packers before the start of the season, so the Jets would have to acquire him in a trade if they wanted to get him. However, Rodgers said on Monday: "We're a young team, and there could be some change with some of the older guys. It could be time to step away."

Johnson closed out his press briefing by insisting he wanted to take the team back to the Super Bowl, saying: "We've all had a long wait. 54 years since the last Super Bowl is too long. Way too long. I'd like to change that fast, but mandates don't work."

Daniel Blackham