One Trade I'd Make Right Now

Edition #413

Good Morning. ☕

Apparently, Aaron Rodgers was speaking at a psychedelics conference yesterday. Having not grown up in the 60s I don’t have any first-hand experience of psychedelic mushrooms or ayahuasca, the latter of which Rodgers confirmed he used. I’m always of the mindset of as long as it’s legal, then you do you.

Yesterday I wrote a piece about Bryce Huff and the trade interest he was generating, which sparked some good conversation. I’m still in the ‘reluctant to trade him’ camp, but I understand the counter-arguments.

Today I’m going to talk about another player who I would trade, and who may realistically be on the block. We’ll get into that, but first some quick throws.

🐦 Dalvin Cook continues to like any and every tweet about him being on the Jets or Dolphins. Cook says he feels great after surgery and wants to hold up the Lombardi trophy at least one time. His like of a tweet came from Dianna Russini who was sharing a video of Mike Greenberg speaking in favour of the Jets bringing in both Hopkins and Cook. The Jets won’t be bringing in Hopkins, but they confirmed they’ll kick the tyres on Cook. My expectation is he lands in Miami, but you never know.

✍️ Reporter Andrea Kramer confirmed that the Jets would sign former Bills Punter Matt Araiza if they needed to, they just don’t need to right now considering they just signed Thomas Morestead. “They said they vetted him extensively,” Kremer said, citing a conversation with Jets general manager Joe Douglas.“They got approval from their owner … they will bring him in if they need to. They feel he deserves the opportunity for a second chance.” Araiza had some legal concerns but with no charges being filed, he should be given the chance to return to his profession.

📈 I posted an article from PFF yesterday which documented the NFL QBs who got the most help last year due to certain statistics. The Jets weren’t included so I didn’t spend much time on it. But I missed something. A colleague over at Jets X-Factor pointed it out in our chat. The Jets weren’t anywhere to be seen, but the Denver Broncos were. The Broncos had the 4th most snaps with at least 3 wide receivers open with 189. That’s a little tip of the cap to Nathaniel Hackett, not a lot went right, but that’s a good stat for any offensive play-caller.

🏈 NFL.com posted some urgency rankings and the Jets came in at number two with an urgency rating of 9.8, only the Bills at 10.0 were higher - “The Jets might not be in true Super Bowl-or-bust mode like their division rivals in Western New York, but the blockbuster acquisition of Aaron Rodgers has made this one of the most important seasons in franchise history. It's difficult to overstate how vital it is for Rodgers to stay on the field, play at a high level and end New York's league-worst -- North American professional sports worst -- playoff drought after 12 long years. If he fails, it could mean the end of Robert Saleh's run as head coach -- and potentially Joe Douglas' run as general manager, too. Rodgers has said and done all the right things since the league-shaking April 24 trade -- but none of that will matter if he can't lift this star-crossed franchise out of irrelevance and into championship contention. It might be the greatest challenge yet for the four-time MVP.”

🤫 Former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum has been at it again, this time talking about Aaron Rodgers: “Older quarterbacks do not leave the league because of their arms, they leave because of their legs. When you look at that great Buccaneers offense, it was led by Donovan Smith, Ryan Jensen, and Tristen Wirfs to let Tom Brady go to work.” “When you think of Aaron Rodgers, he struggles when pressured. Look at left tackle. Mekhi Becton has played in one game in two years. Duane Brown is 38. If there is a vulnerability on this Jet offense, it’s upfront,” - Rodgers has never been the most accurate QB under pressure, that’s not because of his age, that’s just who he is. But in 2021 he threw 8 touchdowns under pressure to 3 interceptions (that’s top 10), He threw 8 touchdowns under pressure in 2020 (again that’s top 10). Strange Mike, real strange.

When I write about the Jets I try to stay at least partially objective, but sometimes that proves difficult. I write this newsletter here, work for Jets X-Factor, Gang Green Nation and produce content on the Jets for Last Word on Sports. In short, I’m a fan. So like a lot of fans, I can become a little attached to certain players. There are players who have come through the Jets organisation that I’ve been reluctant to write anything bad about, even when their play deserved it.

But today I’m writing a post about trading a player who just hasn’t performed with the Jets. One because I think the Jets absolutely have to try and get something back in return for him, and two, because I think it’ll be good for the player.

So who am I looking to trade if I’m the Jets?