The New York Jets have been rumored to sign a star quarterback and a star wide receiver this offseason — porque no los dos?
If the New York Jets become the losers of this offseason, it won’t be for a lack of effort.
The Jets….who? Last offseason, the Jets were memorably snubbed by wideout Tyreek Hill, who chose to join the Miami Dolphins instead. New York has since become a coveted landing spot for disgruntled veterans and free agent stars like, and there’s a possibility the franchise could land not only Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers but also former Los Angeles Rams star receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
The Jets were reportedly one of a few teams in attendance for Beckham Jr.’s workout on Friday and may just be doing their due diligence on all the top-ranked free agents out there.
Beckham, who suffered his second torn ACL in the Rams vs. Bengals Super Bowl, missed all of the 2022 season and was expected to join a contender in the playoffs. Late in the season, the 30-year-old wideout went on a free agent tour to visit the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, and Buffalo Bills, but his injury concerns ultimately kept teams at a distance.
NY Jets are swinging for a home run with two potential star signings in Aaron Rodgers and Odell Beckham Jr.
13 months after his injury, a fully healthy Beckham ranks as arguably the most talented free agent wide receiver this offseason and can provide several teams with a verifiable deep threat. He has five 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his career and proved himself as the Rams’ clutch playmaker during their 2021 Super Bowl run.
Compared to other teams’ receiving corps, the Jets have a young though mostly unproven unit with 2022 OROY Garrett Wilson headlining the group. Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, and Denzel Mims formed a solid supporting cast on paper, yet Moore’s public frustration with his lack of usage and playing time last season overshadowed his on-field play; Davis and Mims were fine, unimpressive pass-catching options.
With a veteran like OBJ catching the ball from legend Aaron Rodgers, the Jets’ passing attack will be unrecognizable in 2023. No more quarterback musical chairs, no more three-yards-per-passing attempt — with Rodgers, New York will finally complete the Super Bowl-contending squad it’s been building. Nabbing Beckham, too, is just the extra sweet cherry on top.
Whereas Rodgers really only has a few options in front of him, Beckham will attract the fawning attention of several receiver-needy teams. including the ones he visited last year plus the Baltimore Ravens.
After a chaotic mid-career stint with the Cleveland Browns and his injury-plagued last several years, Beckham is likely looking for two things: a legitimate contender and a forever home.
There’s no way in damnation that Beckham would come to New York to play with Zach Wilson, but throw in Aaron Rodgers and you’ve got your next AFC East dynamic duo.
If the Jets try half as hard to sign Beckham as they did for Rodgers (a cross-country plane ride, lavish dinners, red carpets, the whole shebang), they just might have a chance.