The new Rodgers report

There are few reasons why this is a major longshot to happen . . .

Talking about WFAN’s Craig Carton reporting that the 49ers could look to pursue Aaron Rodgers.

First of all, Carton’s radio partner, Evan Roberts, feels his co-host is being used:

“The Green Bay Packers needed to find a lemon,” Roberts said. “They needed to find somebody that could put the message out there to scare [Jets general manager] Joe Douglas, to try to get it over the finish line. You happen to be that lemon.

“But right now, this is all an attempt — and I give the Packers credit, it’s creative — all an attempt to scare the Jets. … Craig, you’re doing nothing wrong, you’re just being used.”

A few reasons why Rodgers to the 49ers is a long shot.

First let’s go t back to things Rodgers has said over the last few months.

At a Pebble Beach Pro-Am in early February, Rodgers told a reporter, “I’m not going to San Fran.”

Then on March 15, Rodgers said on The Pat McAfee Show – “Since Friday my intention was to play for the New York Jets. It’s the compensation that’s holding things up”

So over the last few months, he said “he’s not going to San Fran” and his intention is “to play for the New York Jets” so you really think now he’s going to pivot and want to go to the 49ers?

It doesn’t make a ton of sense.

Also, Jets coach Robert Saleh and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan are very close, so do you think that Shanahan would do this to him in the 11th hour, when it looks like a Jets trade is close to happening? Also, Saleh and Packers coach Matt LaFleur are best friends. Do you think LaFleur would want to be involved in a stealth move like this when a trade Jets-49ers trade is seemingly close to being completed?

Probably not.

But while it’s a longshot, former NFL GM Mike Lombardi said on VSIN said that there is a factor that could pique the 49ers’ interest at this stage of the game.

“Here is the key, and this is what I’ve been told, they have negotiated a contract with the Jets, and he has excepted less money than the $50 million he is owed, so you should get involved if he’s already willing to take less and he’s going to want to do it for one year. The 49ers need a quarterback for one year, so it does make sense,” Lombardi said. “You know the Jets have a contract with Rodgers at a certain number, so if he’s willing to play for the Jets at that number, and we’re willing to play that number, so now let’s get into that game.”

Now in fairness, Lombardi didn’t say he thinks this is going to happen, but he was asked if there could be any credence to this report.

Lombardi pointed out that the 49ers still have to workout out a long-term deal with DE Nick Bosa, so they might have the cap space.

But do you really think that Rodgers, his agent, and the Jets would negotiate in good faith and agree on a contract number, only to him sent to the 49ers?

Highly unlikely.

This new story makes for good clickbait, but it’s probably a nothing burger.

April 7, 2023

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