FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers is 0-for-2 in recruiting Odell Beckham Jr. Perhaps the third time would be the appeal.
The New York Jets’ presumptive quarterback, unsuccessful in 2021 and 2022 when Beckham was a free agent, included him on his so-called want listing, saying lately on “The Pat McAfee Present,” “Who would not need Odell on their staff?”
Regardless of a crowded receiver room — 5 gamers with beginning expertise — the Jets and Beckham have mutual curiosity. He’d be their splashiest free-agent signing since operating again Le’Veon Bell in 2019, becoming a member of NFL Offensive Rookie of the Yr Garrett Wilson and newcomers Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman at wideout.
Lazard additionally was on Rodgers’ listing and — voila! — he landed a four-year, $44 million contract. Clearly, the Jets are doing all the pieces they will to accommodate Rodgers, whose commerce to them will probably be finalized as quickly because the Jets and Inexperienced Bay Packers agree on compensation. On Thursday, Hardman signed a one-year deal that may max out at $6.5 million. Is Ezekiel Elliott subsequent? The previous Dallas Cowboys operating again is contemplating the Jets, a supply informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter — maybe one other signal that Rodgers ultimately touchdown in New York has made them a free-agent vacation spot.
“They’re simply intoxicated with Rodgers,” a longtime personnel government mentioned of the Jets’ brass. “They’ve offered their soul now.”
Rodgers and Beckham have not been teammates earlier than, however they developed a long-distance friendship through the years. Talking final fall to McAfee, Rodgers mentioned “with a participant like that, you are all the time hoping there is a time when you possibly can determine issues out and play collectively.”
Rodgers and the Packers confirmed curiosity in Beckham when he was launched by the Cleveland Browns in the course of the 2021 season. Rodgers thought they’d a reliable shot, however Beckham signed with the Los Angeles Rams and gained a Tremendous Bowl. In 2022, when Beckham was flirting with a comeback after his second ACL surgical procedure, Rodgers once more publicly lobbied. This time, his pal wound up sitting out the season as he continued to get better.
A possible Jets-Beckham pairing is intriguing on so many ranges. Can they afford him? Do they actually need one other receiver? Even after Wednesday’s commerce of Elijah Moore to the Browns, they nonetheless have Corey Davis and Denzel Mims on the roster (for now). Maybe the most important query: Is Beckham, who will probably be 31 in November and hasn’t performed a sport in additional than 13 months (since Tremendous Bowl LVI), nonetheless the identical participant?
The Jets, one of many groups that attended his current exercise in Arizona, consider so. They’ve a do-everything receiver in Wilson. They’ve a vertical menace in Hardman, who can affect protection along with his deep velocity. They’ve a short- to intermediate goal in Lazard. They consider Beckham would complement them to spherical out their receiving corps, in all probability making Davis ($11.2 million cap) expendable.
Nonetheless, there are questions: Beckham’s final 1,000-yard season got here in 2019 with the Browns. He has 12 receiving touchdowns in his final 37 video games, in comparison with 35 in his first 43 video games (all with the New York Giants). However — and this is the explanation he tantalizes his suitors — he ultimately acquired comfy with the Rams and was implausible throughout their championship run.
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Within the NFC Championship Sport, he had 9 catches for 113 yards. Within the Tremendous Bowl, he was off to a terrific begin with two catches for 52 yards earlier than the devastating knee harm.
“Guys like which are good for one yr on a prove-it deal,” mentioned a veteran scout who has studied Beckham intently all through his profession. “Should you suppose he may be that one man to place you excessive, to get you to a Tremendous Bowl, then do it. If Rodgers likes him and he is , I would have an interest, too, if I had been the Jets.”
Future Corridor of Fame quarterbacks typically have an affinity for sure receivers.
“[Tom] Brady had an infatuation with Antonio Brown, so I get it,” mentioned the personnel government, alluding to the quarterback-receiver tandem that fizzled in two locations, New England and Tampa Bay. “I am not saying [Beckham] would not have a job — he is nonetheless proficient — however I do not know what baggage he is bringing. He used to have that diva mentality. He is toned it down — maturity occurred alongside the way in which — however I do not see him as $10 million or $12 million participant.”
Cash talks.
Beckham’s asking value? Let’s join some dots.
In 2018, Allen Robinson II was a free agent after lacking almost a whole season attributable to an ACL harm and nonetheless landed $14 million per yr from the Chicago Bears (three years, $42 million). The Dallas Cowboys had been pursuing Beckham, however pivoted to buying and selling for Brandin Cooks, giving up two draft picks and paying him $12 million in base wage this season — a fairly good indication that Beckham’s value in all probability is just a few million north of $12 million on a one-year deal. The Baltimore Ravens and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs even have been linked to Beckham.
You would argue the Jets would have sufficient weapons for Rodgers even with out Beckham. Hardman, explaining his resolution to signal, talked about the opposite receivers as the first motive.
“I believe enjoying alongside [Lazard] will probably be nice, and so they’ve acquired an awesome second-year participant now in Garrett Wilson, who had a fully unbelievable yr,” Hardman mentioned Thursday on a Zoom name with reporters. “These names, simply to play alongside them, undoubtedly is enticing.”
One other identify might be added to the group, one of many largest names within the sport.
