The Jets Continue to Prepare for an Aaron Rodgers Trade

The New York Jets moved on from former second-round draft pick Elijah Moore on Wednesday. New York sent Moore to the Cleveland Browns with a third-round pick in exchange for a second-rounder.

Five months ago, Moore demanded a trade after a confrontation with former offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. As a result, Moore was sent home for three weeks. At the time, Jets head coach Robert Saleh said that trading Moore was not an option and even defended Moore’s actions and value to the team.

“We love Elijah,” Saleh said in October. “We all understand the business aspect, we know where his heart is, we know the character that we drafted. Elijah is a great kid. He is. He’s out there, he works his tail off, he does everything asked of him. He is a very high-character individual, and I get that this can look bad, but it’s part of what we go through, it’s part of our business. I will stand by that young man every day of the week. He’s going to be a great football player in this league for a long time, and it’s just a matter of being able to stack together a couple of good days and let the ball roll from there.”

Moore returned to the Jets and finished the season with the second-most targets behind only rookie Garrett Wilson. Moore may have even had a change of heart on that trade request.

Realizing that you’re on the verge of having Aaron Rodgers throw you the ball will do that to you. However, Moore got his request, even if he no longer wanted it. In trading Moore, the Jets did two things: 1) pulled the plug on a disappointing tenure for Moore in New York and 2) added more chips for the impending Aaron Rodgers trade.

The Jets also signed Mecole Hardman to a one-year, $6.5 million contract. In 2022, Hardman had 25 catches, 297 yards, and four touchdowns in eight games, a solid pace if he’d remained healthy. Hardman’s best season was in 2021 when he had 59 catches for 693 yards and two touchdowns. 

Hardman likely fits as the slot option for the Jets with Wilson and Lazard on the outside. Of his 16 career touchdowns, 10 are from the slot. Despite running a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine in 2019, Hardman hasn’t been much of a deep threat for the Chiefs in recent years. Still, his speed will help open up the field for the Jets.

So, New York now has Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, and Mecole Hardman in place as the top three wide receivers. However, they still may look to add another receiver, and maybe that wide receiver is Odell Beckham Jr.

I’m sure that there is a mutual interest. The issue is that the Jets would have to shuffle to accommodate a trade for Rodgers and a signing of OBJ. The Jets are at roughly $10 million in available cap space. Cutting wide receiver Corey Davis could open up another $10 million, putting them at about $20 million. Which still won’t be enough room to acquire both Rodgers and Beckham. So, if possible, there will need to be some more cap shedding.

Regardless of whether or not OBJ is a realistic fit in New York, the Jets and Packers still have to get a trade done for Rodgers. As of now, the two sides are at a stalemate. Reports have the Packers eyeing the Jets’ first-rounder (No. 13). New York isn’t yet likely to go for that. Yet, anyway.

Does today’s trade change that? The Jets now hold the 42nd and 43rd (from Cleveland) in the draft. Would that soften the blow of losing their first-rounder to Green Bay? Maybe. However, it’s worth noting that beyond those consecutive picks in the second round, the Jets only own No. 112, No. 143, and No. 247 after that.

The Jets aren’t trading from a position of strength regarding 2023 draft picks. So, they’re in a tough spot.

Still, it seems like a deal will get done, and more than likely before the draft. In the meantime, any of the Jets’ moves will be viewed through the lens of how this helps them prepare for the Aaron Rodgers trade.

written by

Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

more nfl news

Prioritizing the Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

The Seattle Seahawks overachieved in 2023 by all accounts and missed out on a playoff spot by just one game. They’ve since said farewell to legendary coach Pete Carroll and welcomed in a new regime led by Mike MacDonald. Seattle...

Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft: Wild Crossroads at 28 – Offense or Defense?

The Buffalo Bills stand at a crossroads. The 2024 NFL Draft looms, and the 28th pick presents a fascinating dilemma. This Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft analyzes 10 different options that could be available to them at their current...

Las Vegas Raiders Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Las Vegas Raiders have injected a wave of optimism into Raider Nation with their offseason maneuvers. General Manager Tom Telesco has been busy addressing key needs while setting the stage for potential further improvements. Las Vegas Raiders Offseason Recap...

Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason with a new era dawning. After a disappointing season, they landed a marquee hire in Jim Harbaugh, fresh off his national championship win with Michigan. Hailed as the top coaching prospect, Harbaugh brings a...

Seattle Seahawks Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Seattle Seahawks turn the page on a historic era as they enter the 2024 season without Pete Carroll at the helm for the first time since 2010. Carroll's impact on the franchise is undeniable, crafting a period of sustained...

Prioritizing the Los Angeles Chargers NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

The Los Angeles Chargers’ 2023 didn’t go as planned and as a result, they fired head coach Brandon Staley with just 3 games remaining. However, they landed the offseason's most coveted NFL coaching candidate Jim Harbaugh, and have begun the...

Prioritizing the Los Angeles Rams NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

The Los Angeles Rams ended the 2023 season as hot as any team in the NFL. They won 7 of their last 8 games to sneak into the playoffs and almost pulled off a first-round upset of the Detroit Lions....

Connor Allen’s NFL Mock Draft 2.0: J.J. McCarthy’s Draft Stock Continues to Skyrocket

The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, a time filled with anticipation, speculation, and hopeful declarations of a team's newfound future. This 2024 NFL Mock Draft focuses on accuracy over player evaluations. With the free agency frenzy settled war room...

San Francisco 49ers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The San Francisco 49ers return to the drawing board after their heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite the sting of defeat, the future remains bright. Brock Purdy's emergence as a legitimate MVP candidate and the return...

Prioritizing the Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

The Arizona Cardinals finished 2023 tied with the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots for the 2nd worst record in the NFL at 4-13. It was just the first year under head coach Jonathan Gannon however, and they did show...

Latest News

Braves vs. Phillies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Ronald Acuna Jr. and the Atlanta Braves take on Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.See how to watch the Atlanta-Philadelphia matchup below.When is Braves vs. Phillies and...

Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans face the Milwaukee Bucks at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires only one trifecta from Jonas Valančiūnas.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under...

Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks start their season as home favorites (-230) in a matchup with the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID from Chase Field.Zac Gallen will get the ball for Arizona while Colorado will counter...

Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Seattle Mariners are moneyline favorites (-154) to begin their season with a home win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN.Seattle's Luis Castillo gets the start, and he'll go against Boston's Brayan...

Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians start their season as road favorites (-156) in a matchup with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Cleveland's Shane Bieber and Oakland's Alex Wood have been named the...

Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, and if the Bucks' Damian Lillard drains four 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for three-pointers in this...

Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires two trifectas from Brook Lopez.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansBrook Lopez's over/under for...

Giannis Antetokounmpo Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

On Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, the Milwaukee Bucks meet the New Orleans Pelicans, and Giannis Antetokounmpo's 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trey.Giannis Antetokounmpo's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansGiannis Antetokounmpo's over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

more nfl news