The New York Jets could have signed Derek Carr over trading for Aaron Rodgers
Remember the New York Jets’ Aaron Rodgers vs. Derek Carr debate?
Yeah, me neither.
In the early months of 2023, the raging dispute concerned whether to sign the then-31-year-old Carr or to trade premium assets for the then-39-year-old Rodgers. Many Jets fans were on the side of signing Carr for various reasons: Carr was a free agent and didn’t require assets, he would be around for longer, Rodgers was seemingly on the decline, and Carr wouldn’t be as polarizing as Rodgers, among other arguments.
Speaking recently on the “Pardon My Take” podcast, Carr admitted that he was willing to sign with the Jets due to one man: head coach Robert Saleh.
The Jets wined and dined Carr (as documented by relentless Jets fans) before he signed a four-year, $150 million deal with the Saints.
“I remember sitting there with [Saleh], and he’s like, ‘Look, man, we’d love to have you. It’s up to you,’” Carr said.
“I am probably like [Saleh’s] biggest fan,” he added. “Like I absolutely, ten out of ten love him, would run through a wall for him even if he’s not my coach. If he was like, ‘I need you to do this,’ yes, sir, I would do it. That whole situation, that was the hardest thing.”
Ultimately, Carr knew the Jets had a serious interest in Rodgers and took the Saints’ offer.
Carr’s introductory press conference with the Saints demonstrated that the Jets made the right call, regardless of what later happened with Rodgers. Carr told reporters, “I can’t promise wins, but I can promise you a great effort.” And that’s exactly what he did: he posted a 68.4% completion percentage, 25:8 TD:INT ratio, and 97.7 passer rating, but the Saints went 9-8 and missed the playoffs despite playing in one of the softest divisions in football.
Saleh has faced much criticism from Jets fans and the media, but he maintains strong respect around the NFL. In 2024, though, it’s going to be all about putting success on the field rather than just paying lip service to excellence.
