What Lamar Jackson’s trade request means for the Jets, Packers and Aaron Rodgers

The quarterback carousel keeps spinning, and it just accelerated tremendously.

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens could be headed for a divorce if the quarterback’s trade request goes through. The former NFL MVP announced on March 27 that he had requested a trade with the Ravens in early March before Baltimore gave him the non-exclusive franchise tag.

By the looks of it, most teams that have had quarterback instability this offseason have shored up their spaces, but the Ravens and Jets may have the most troubled quarterback situations in the league. Now, Jackson’s trade request has thrown a curveball to teams still trying to solve their QB puzzles, namely these two squads.

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Here’s what Jackson’s trade request means for the Jets, Packers and one Aaron Rodgers:

What Lamar Jackson’s trade request means for the Jets

The Jets went into the offseason with plans to improve quarterback position in meaningful ways, and Jackson’s unexpected availability could upset their best plans — but in a good way.

The Jets are currently involved with Aaron Rodgers, but a deal has yet to be finalized as both New York and Green Bay play the waiting game. Jackson’s trade request works in Gang Green’s favor in two ways:

1. It gives the Jets another option as quarterback while sorting out their QB situation in case the Packers continue to need compensation and a deal can’t go through.

2. It gives the Jets a little leverage to turn away from Rodgers and Jackson can talk to the Ravens.

Of course, given the mechanics of the non-exclusive franchise tag, it’s no given that the Jets would land Jackson, but a Jackson pursuit could loosen the Packers’ stranglehold on any given trade comp.

Should the Jets want to go after Jackson, there’s also the added risk of potentially upsetting the Rodgers in the process. While Rodgers doesn’t have many options (two, actually), this isn’t a tree you’re keen to shake.

The good news for Rodgers is that the Jets are keeping an eye on him and aren’t getting distracted by Jackson’s sudden availability:

“It would be disingenuous and would be negotiating in bad faith for us to go down this route,” said Jets GM Joe Douglas. “Right now we have our plan, we have our process and we’re sticking to it.”

At least Rodgers isn’t a guy known for holding grudges or anything.

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What Lamar Jackson’s trade request means for Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers made it absolutely clear that he wants to play for the Jets. Would they leave him at the altar?

Rodgers already didn’t have many, if any, suitors outside of the Jets. While his contract isn’t as onerous as the numbers suggest, it doesn’t appeal to 30 other NFL teams. If that were the case, Rodgers likely would have been given permission to speak to more teams, but it has been reported that he only spoke to one and wishes. The Packers also only seemingly engaged with the Jets and provided the right match.

Ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, quarterback gaps will be filled: Jimmy Garoppolo landed in Las Vegas, closing a potential Rodgers landing spot. The Titans appear to be in limbo, but the team recently reiterated their support for Ryan Tannehill. Others, like the Panthers, Texans, Colts, and Buccaneers, may turn to the draft to meet their needs.

For Rodgers, it really is the Jets or retirement. If the jets move on and orbit Jackson, the latter may become a reality a little faster than he would like.

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What Lamar Jackson’s trade request means for the Packers

Debates rage on as to who really has the leverage in the Jets-Packers negotiations, but Jackson’s availability could do major damage to the Packers. If the Jets have decided to walk away from the table and target Jackson, the Packers may be left with the Rodgers bag.

Rodgers hinted that his original plan was retirement, but after emerging from retreat into obscurity, he felt comfortable wanting to play — he was already putting the Packers behind an 8-ball of sorts. The team probably didn’t want to charge Rodgers a massive cap in 2023 (and 2024) if he’s on the list. Having number 12 on the list while they clearly want to get away from him and get Jordan Love to the top of the depth chart isn’t the best course of action either.

At some point, the Packers will have to deviate from their asking price for these reasons. The Jets have reason to be patient, and even more so than the Packers. Simple, the Jets can wait until after the 2023 NFL Draft and give up future picks, nothing that would hurt them immediately.

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Green Bay, who Love likely wants to surround with as much talent as possible, will need the cap space and picks to ensure the QB’s grading in 2023 goes as smoothly as possible.

Time is running out, and the scales may have just tipped in New York’s favor.