2023 NFL Future Bet to Make: Derek Carr – Not Aaron Rodgers – to Join Jets
Aaron Rodgers is done with his self-imposed isolated darkness and now the NFL waits for him to enlighten us all on what his plans are for the rest of 2023.
The 39-year-old quarterback, who’s spent all 18 of his seasons in Green Bay where he’s won four regular-season MVPs and one Super Bowl, has three options: Retire, request a trade, or run it back one more time with the Packers.
In recent days, it’s starting to sound like he’ll return to Green Bay, and with a guaranteed $59 million salary, if he plays for the Packers in 2023, why wouldn’t you give it one more go?
ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported that “a very important Packers source" says that “at the end of the day, Aaron Rodgers will be back with the Packers.”
That might then make Jordan Love, the Packers’ backup QB, who has been waiting patiently in the wings to be the starter, demand a trade of his own, but that’s for Rodgers to decide.
It now seems the Las Vegas Raiders have completely cooled on the idea of pursuing Rodgers, even though the Silver & Black now need a quarterback after releasing nine-year veteran David Carr on Feb. 14.
Carr, despite a disappointing 2022 season, is still only 31, and the four-time Pro Bowler quickly drew interest from the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets.
Carr’s older brother Derek, a former NFL QB, has said that his sibling will take time picking his new team.
"It's gonna be a long process," David Carr told NFL Network. "He wants to do his due diligence and see as many places as he can to get a feel for what the best place for him will be."
David Carr also added, said the quarterback "had a great trip" during his New York visit, where he visited with Jets head coach Robert Saleh, and that Derek "went there to get a feel for how they work from the top down."
ESPN’s Dianna Russini tweeted: “The New York Jets are really interested in Derek Carr. Nothing but positive reviews, per sources. Now they wait for Aaron Rodgers to emerge from the darkness and inform the Packers of his plans. The Jets will be speaking to Green Bay about a trade IF the Packers are willing.”
She added, “(The Jets) made it super personal too, they said 'We believe if you come to New York and win, you could be a first ballot Hall of Famer.'"
Strong words. Heavy praise.
And now it’s a waiting game.
After the Jets hired former Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, the Rodgers to New York rumors began heating up since Hackett was Rodgers’ OC in Green Bay from 2019-21.
The Jets don’t want to keep twisting in the wind and something should break soon because they know Zach Wilson, their first-round selection (No. 2 overall) out of BYU in the 2021 NFL Draft, is looking more and more like a Ryan Leaf-sized blown pick.
Former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason made an interesting point, though, on WFAN about the presence of Wilson, saying: “I don’t know what Derek Carr is going to do. I do know, however, that he is concerned from the Jets’ perspective that Zach Wilson is here … I’m not saying he’s in the running to start next year, but he is going to be here. He’s going to be part of the team, that I know. They’re not giving up on him just yet. That may be the sticking point. I’m not sure, but it could be a sticking point for Derek Carr.”
The Jets would need to give up a bunch of draft picks to land Rodgers and I’m not certain they want to do that. I’m also not sure Rodgers wants his legacy to be that he left his Lambeau home.
Carr is going to end up either with the Jets or the Saints, whose head coach, Dennis Allen, drafted Carr for the Raiders back in 2014. They have a great relationship and there is a good chance they’re reunited in the Big Easy.
After all, the Saints and Raiders almost had a deal worked out for Carr while he was still with Las Vegas but Carr kiboshed it. But that was because of money – i.e. he wanted to be a free agent.
Still, I’m betting on the Jets, so let’s take a look at the latest odds courtesy of PointsBet, one of our favorite sports betting sites, but also just one of the many great gambling sites available in the U.S., including BetMGM Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook and plenty more.
NEXT NFL TEAM DEREK CARR WILL PLAY A SNAP FOR
New York Jets +140
New Orleans Saints +200
Carolina Panthers +200
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +500
Washington Commanders +1600
Indianapolis Colts +2000
Atlanta Falcons +2000
Tennessee Titans +2000
Green Bay Packers +2000
Houston Texans +4000
New England Patriots +4000
The Jets have become the betting favorite and for good reason. Bet on it now before Rodgers returns to the Packers or retires and rides into the sunset – or perhaps seeks more solitude without sun.
