The Waiting Game

Edition #341

Good morning. ☀️

Derek Carr wants to “sign as soon as possible”. Aaron Rodgers said, “I don’t want to drag anybody around … I’ll make a decision soon enough.”. Joe Douglas said, "I think everybody would like it done sooner rather than later, but everyone has their own process.".

We, the fans? We wait.

All of the above would indicate that we should know more in the next 10 days. I say the next 10 days because, in 10 days’ time, the legal tampering period opens.

General Managers and Agents can start talking deals for pending free agents. The expectation has always been that we’ll know two things by the time free agency hits:

1. Derek Carr’s next team, because getting a head start before everyone else hits the FA market was his advantage.

2. Whether Aaron Rodgers wants to play football or not. All indications point to the answer being yes, but he still has not said it.

Have a quick search online for Aaron Rodgers and you’ll see why it’s a confusing space to be in. Here are just a few things I’ve seen, all within the last 24 hours:

• Brandon Marshall has confirmed that he knows “for a fact” that there are at least 4 teams who are in for AR if the Packers try and move him. That adds competition and that increases the trade value of Aaron.

• One of those teams is the Carolina Panthers, who according to Adam Schefter, have contacted the Packers about his availability.

• ESPN’s Diana Russini confirmed that she believes the Jets are the #1 team “coming out of the gate” for the Packers QB. I don’t fully appreciate what that means. Does that mean we’re showing a willingness to pay more than others? Or Aaron favors a move to New York?

• Former Packers QB Kurt Benkert believes that if Rodgers leaves Green Bay it’ll be for either the Jets or the Dolphins because Miami is also ready to win right now.

• Raiders beat reporter Vic Tafur has reported the Raiders are out on Aaron Rodgers due to numerous holes on their roster. The bookmakers have the Raiders as the favorites to sign Rodgers.

• Bobby Bones on the Rich Eisen show said he believed Rodgers would land in Tennessee because he’s building a house there (which he actually is), although I think that was a little tongue-in-cheek.

• Jeff Darlington has come out and said "No longer does it feel like the Packers are simply going to kiss the ring of Aaron Rodgers." - Indicating a divorce is pending.

Nice and clear then. A good way to start Friday.

Anyway. Robert Saleh met the media yesterday, so let’s go through what was said.

👴 Mentioned Downing’s experience working with Carr, Tannehill, and Stafford and his wealth of knowledge. Said he’ll take on that role in the QB room that was envisioned for Greg Knapp before his tragic passing.

🚘 When asked directly about the meeting with Carr, Saleh said: “I thought it was great, he’s a tremendous young man, he’s a father of four, his mind is in the right spot, he understands, he keeps the main thing the main thing, but a really impressive young man for sure”

✈️ He also revealed that he was due to fly out to Indianapolis for the meeting with Derek yesterday but due to a stomach bug, he was unable to make it. Says a lot that he was going to fly out for the meeting though.

🚘 On what stands out about Carr: “He’s got an elite mental makeup with regards to football IQ, he’s got tremendous accuracy and arm strength, he can put the ball wherever you want, he’s underrated in terms of being a scrambler, and being able to move in the pocket. He’s been asked to do a lot in his career” - That was interesting, but his next comment was one I know readers here will enjoy, as it’s something that’s been mentioned.

“I think he’s more in line with what Stafford’s career has been in terms of if you can get him to a place where you can just surround him with pieces to allow him to just play quarterback 10-15 times a game, it’d be pretty cool, he’s a solid young man”

⌚ When asked about timing, he said all coaches would “want it done yesterday” but they respect the process and the timing of the decision for players.

🤔 On what he expects the offense to look like and their offensive philosophy under Hackett: “There’s a lot of carryover from what Mike installed over the last couple of years. Philosophically and how we do things, it’s going to be a little bit different but I’m not going to get too deep into that right now. I’m excited about him, wherever he’s been he’s been able to build at least a top-5 run game and he’s from a playcalling standpoint…his positivity and his aura about him, the way he goes about his business, it’ll be a change for the guys for sure”

2️⃣ On where it leaves Zach if the Jets sign a veteran QB in his early 30’s: