7 NY Jets free agent targets who should want to play with Aaron Rodgers

NY Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner had previously teased supposed "package deals" when the NY Jets finally traded to Aaron Rodgers. While a trade hasn't been agreed to just yet, the reality of the situation has become clear.

Rodgers made his intentions evident on Wednesday. He plans to play in 2023, and he plans to play for the Jets. A trade is going to happen at some point in the near future. Players are well aware of that.

This could significantly help the Jets' odds of recruiting a number of free agents. This extends well beyond Rodgers' supposed "wishlist" too. Many free agents who never even played with Rodgers could still look to join him in Florham Park.

Those are the players we're going to discuss in this article. Let's take a look at seven free agents who should want to play with Aaron Rodgers on the Jets.

7. Linval Joseph, DT

The Jets explored the possibility of signing veteran defensive tackle Linval Joseph last offseason, but the two sides never reached a deal, as the two-time Pro Bowler signed on with the Philadelphia Eagles instead.

Joseph is now a free agent again and looking to sign with another contender. With Rodgers now in Florham Park, the Jets absolutely fit that description.

The 34-year-old isn't the player he used to be, but Joseph did play an important role in Philadelphia's dominant defensive front last season as a starter in the base defense.

With Sheldon Rankins and Nathan Shepherd both walking in free agency, Joseph would fill a sizable gap in the middle of the Jets' defensive line. If he wants to sign with a contender, the Jets make sense.

6. Connor McGovern, C

The Jets still need a center after striking out on San Francisco 49ers center Jake Brendel in free agency. The team is reportedly eyeing Denver Broncos veteran Graham Glasgow, but they'd be better off running it back with Connor McGovern.

McGovern has bounced back strongly from a difficult first season with the Jets. In each of the last two years, McGovern has finished as a top-10 center per Pro Football Focus.

He's not a star by any means, but McGovern is a solid starter and absolutely a better player than Glasgow, who ranked in the bottom three in both penalties and sacks allowed.

Perhaps the Jets could entice McGovern with the thought of snapping to one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. Don't rule out a McGovern return.

5. Robert Quinn, DE

Another veteran the Eagles acquired midseason last year is defensive end Robert Quinn. Quinn was shipped to Philadelphia at the deadline, although his acquisition wasn't exactly a home run.

A year after recording a whopping 18.5 sacks with the Chicago Bears, Quinn finished with just one sack in 13 games this past season. He'd had 11.5 or more sacks in two of the last four seasons but two or fewer in the other two seasons.

Quinn is a streaky pass rusher, but he could still provide value as a rotational piece in the Jets' defensive line room. At soon-to-be 33 years old, Quinn is likely looking to sign with a contender this offseason.

Think of Quinn as the replacement for Vinny Curry. The Jets could use an experienced veteran on their defensive line depth chart.

4. Adam Thielen, WR

So this one is cheating a little bit. Although Adam Thielen has never actually played with Aaron Rodgers, the two are reportedly good friends off the field. Still, there is no direct Rodgers connection, so he belongs on this list.

The Jets already signed former Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard in free agency, but perhaps they might not be done in that market. Randall Cobb seems more likely, but Thielen would be a more high-profile (and more expensive) addition.

The 32-year-old wideout still has plenty left in the tank, fresh off a 70-catch, 716-yard season in which he played all 17 games in Minnesota. Thielen has 30 total touchdowns over the last three seasons.

A Thielen signing would have made more sense before the Lazard deal, but if Thielen wants to take less to play with his buddy in New York, the Jets should absolutely consider it.

3. Calais Campbell, DT

The Jets are going to address the defensive tackle position in free agency. They were reportedly very interested in signing longtime Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox before he ultimately decided to return to Philadelphia.

After missing out on Cox, another well-known veteran they could target is Calais Campbell. Campbell crossed paths with Nathaniel Hackett and Ron Middleton in Jacksonville and should garner plenty of interest after he was released earlier this week.

Even at age 36 (he turns 37 in September), Campbell is still playing at a high level. His 76.0 PFF grade ranked 15th out of 127 qualified interior defensive linemen in 2022. He's ranked worth than 20th (27th) just once in the last decade.

Campbell could be an integral part of the Jets' defensive line rotation next season. Assuming he doesn't retire, Campbell could try for his first Super Bowl ring as a member of the Jets.

2. Ben Jones, C

Another player who could be contemplating retirement is longtime Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones. Jones has long been one of the NFL's most underappreciated players and one of the league's best overall centers.

He only made his first Pro Bowl in 2022, but Jones was a staple of Tennessee's offensive line for years now. Now a free agent, the Jets should absolutely make Jones a top priority.

The Jets do not currently have a starting center on their roster and, assuming Jones isn't retiring, he should be the top option on the open market.

After 11 years split between the Houston Texans and Titans, Jones should be looking to sign with a contender. The opportunity to snap balls to Aaron Rodgers might be too much to pass up.

1. Odell Beckham Jr., WR

This one is obvious. Much like Adam Thielen, Odell Beckham Jr. has never played with Rodgers, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of smoke around him following Rodgers to New York.

Beckham is reportedly one of the players Rodgers would like the Jets to sign, and the former All-Pro wide receiver was seen FacTiming Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner ahead of his workout last week.

Beckham will have his fair share of suitors on the open market, but he's likely looking for the best fit at this stage of his career. What's a better fit than catching passes from a top-five quarterback of all-time in a market he should be very familiar with?

I'm not sure how the Jets would be able to fairly divide snaps and targets if they signed Beckham, but you can never have too much depth in the NFL. If Rodgers wants Beckham and the feeling is mutual, the Jets might just make it happen.