-Ed-Mulholland-USA-TODAY-Sports-79
(New York, NY) — Don’t expect a Aaron Rodgers deal to be completed before the NFL draft. Conversations have reportedly hit a stalemate in recent weeks.
“There hasn’t been a whole lot of conversation, if any, over the last couple of weeks, going back to the owners meetings [from March 26-28],” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday on “NFL Live.”
The teams are reportedly “willing to be patient,” and a deal does not appear to be remotely close. Rodgers infamously said in March he intends to play for the Jets on the Pat McAfee Show.
There was speculation a deal could be completed on draft day but that’s simply a pipe dream. The Jets have the 13th overall pick, as well as back-to-back selections in the second round (42nd and 43rd overall), that many NFL insiders believed would be used as leverage to acquire the four-time MVP.
“What’s interesting is if the two sides can’t figure out a deal by the time the draft comes [beginning April 27], then the Jets go ahead and make their picks… and Aaron Rodgers then has a decision to make about whether or not to show up to the Packers mandatory minicamp in May,” Schefter said.
At this point, it’s getting difficult to follow the conflicting reports regarding a potential trade. For what it’s worth, Jets general manager Joe Douglas said on Friday, Rodgers will play for New York.
In all likelihood a deal gets done, but the panic meter is slightly rising. Apparently, if all goes haywire, the Jets’ backup option is Ryan Tannehill.
