14 other players with Aaron Rodgers connections the NY Jets can target

The NY Jets haven't officially traded for Aaron Rodgers yet, but they're already doing everything they can to make sure their (hopefully) new quarterback is comfortable.

Rodgers has reportedly sent the Jets a wishlist of free agents he wants the team to sign. They've already checked off one player on the list, inking wide receiver Allen Lazard to a four-year, $44 million contract on Tuesday.

The other three players Rodgers reportedly wants to join him in New York are wide receiver Randall Cobb, tight end Marcedes Lewis, and wide receiver Odell Beckham. But are there any other names Rodgers could look to bring with him?

Which players with Rodgers connections could the Jets look to target? We scoured the football world and came up with 14 names the Jets could unite with Rodgers in New York.

14. Ty Montgomery, RB/WR

Ty Montgomery already had one stint with the Jets back in 2019, but the former Green Bay Packers running back/wide receiver is a free agent this offseason after spending the 2022 season with the New England Patriots.

Montgomery is little more than a fringe roster player/special teamer at this stage, but he could be worth a flyer if Rodgers wants to reunite with a guy he spent four years playing alongside in Green Bay.

13. Kurt Benkert, QB

This one is certainly a bit outside the box, but it's worth considering if Rodgers wants one of his good friends in the quarterback room. Benkert has appeared in just one NFL game, that coming with the Packers in 2021, and he most recently spent time in the XFL.

The Jets shouldn't view Benkert as a viable backup quarterback option, but he'd be a fine player to keep around on the practice squad as a fourth quarterback.

12. Yosh Nijman, OT

The Jets could be looking to add some offensive line depth in free agency, and one former Rodgers teammate who makes sense is Yosh Nijman. Nijman is a veteran swing tackle who has started 21 games over the last two seasons for the Packers.

The Jets could probably use more help building their interior offensive line depth, but if they're looking for a swing tackle with ties to both Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett, Nijman might be their guy.

11. Eric Wilson, LB

Eric Wilson only spent a few months with Rodgers this past season, so this connection isn't exactly very strong. Still he could make sense as a Jets target regardless.

Wilson blocked a punt against the Jets last season and led the Packers in special-teams tackles, despite joining the team in October. As a depth linebacker/special teamer, Wilson is a sensible target.

10. Adrian Amos, S

The Jets should be looking for safety help, even after acquiring Chuck Clark. One versatile veteran safety they could target in free agency is Adrian Amos.

Amos is coming off a down year in Green Bay, but from 2017-2021, he was one of the better safeties in football. It also might help that he's spent the last four seasons of his career playing alongside Rodgers with the Packers.

9. Rasul Douglas, CB

Rasul Douglas isn't a free agent like many of the others on this list, but if you've paid any attention to Rodgers' Twitter interactions over the last few days, you'd realize how close he is with the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

The Jets are pretty set at cornerback, but perhaps there's a reality where they acquire Douglas as part of the Rodgers trade. The former third-round pick played 89 percent of the Packers' defensive snaps last season.

8. Lucas Patrick, C/OG

A former undrafted free agent, Lucas Patrick spent the first five years of his NFL career with Rodgers in Green Bay, serving as a starting guard in 2020 and the starting center in 2021.

Patrick signed with the Chicago Bears in 2022 but started only five games before a toe injury knocked him out for the season. Like Douglas, Patrick isn't a free agent and would need to be acquired in a trade, but with the Jets looking for offensive line depth, it's a possible scenario to explore.

7. Robert Tonyan, TE

I don't expect the Jets to sign Robert Tonyan, not with Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah, and Jeremy Ruckert already in the mix, not to mention the possibility of adding Marcedes Lewis.

Still, Tonyan is a favorite target of Rodgers and a free agent this offseason, so he should be mentioned. I'd imagine it's either Lewis or Tonyan for the Jets — not both.

6. Billy Turner, OT

Billy Turner has spent the last four years playing under Nathaniel Hackett, first in Green Bay from 2019 to 2021 and then in Denver this past season. He's a veteran swing tackle who also has experience playing guard.

Although he's started 75 games in his career, Turner is probably best fit as a sixth offensive lineman with the Jets. The Hackett and Rodgers connections make him an obvious target.

5. Dean Lowry, DT

How about another defensive player? Defensive tackle is a need for the Jets this offseason, especially if they're unable to re-sign Sheldon Rankins. One potential replacement could be Dean Lowry.

Lowry has been with the Packers since 2016, starting 80 games as one of the more unheralded members of that defense. He's a good run-defender and someone who could both follow Rodgers to the Jets and fill a need.

4. Adam Thielen, WR

Adam Thielen is the only player on this list to have never played with Aaron Rodgers, but the longtime Minnesota Vikings wide receiver is great friends with his NFC North adversary.

The Jets might already bet overloaded at the wide receiver position given Rodgers' reported demands, but Thielen is someone they should keep an eye on. Even at age 32, he's still got something left in the tank.

3. Bryan Bulaga, OT

Bryan Bulaga hasn't played since the 2021 season after he was released by the Los Angeles Chargers last May. Perhaps he's willing to sign on for one final retirement run to play alongside his old buddy,

Bulaga would probably be nothing more than a veteran depth piece (ideally at a veteran's minimum contract), but he spent nine years alongside Rodgers in Green Bay and is currently a free agent. That alone warrants a spot on this list.

2. Jake Kumerow, WR

Aaron Rodgers' love for Jake Kumerow has been well-documented to this point. Rodgers openly petitioned for Kumerow to remain on the Packers' roster during their time together in Green Bay. Why wouldn't he do the same in New York?

Kumerow has spent the last three seasons as a depth receiver/special teamer for the Bills. Could he reunite with Rodgers once again with the Jets? I don't think anyone would be surprised.

1. Jamaal Williams, RB

The Jets are already rumored to be interested in signing free-agent running back Jamaal Williams. The Rodgers connection certainly helps, but Williams would be an excellent signing regardless.

The former BYU standout is coming off a career year in which he led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns and topped 1,000 yards for the first time. Williams would be an ideal RB2 while Breece Hall continues to recover from his torn ACL.