Aaron Rodgers reportedly recruiting free agents to join the NY Jets

Justin Fried

NY Jets, Aaron Rodgers / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Aaron Rodgers trade may not be official yet (or it may be, depending on who you ask), but the future Hall of Fame quarterback might already be recruiting players for the NY Jets.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is reporting that Rodgers "is involved in trying to persuade one or more free agents to join the Jets." It seems as though Rodgers is already recruiting for a team he's not officially a part of yet.

That would certainly indicate that a trade is more of a formality at this point, and it would support Trey Wingo's report from earlier in the day that a deal between the Jets and Green Bay Packers is "done."

Why hasn't it been announced yet? Why haven't other reports confirmed Wingo's report? No one knows. This is Aaron Rodgers, after all — the man prides himself on his secrecy. Still, this seems to be just another indication that a trade could happen soon.

The NY Jets could land 'package deals' in free agency with Aaron Rodgers

Last week, Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner hinted at the possibility of "package deals" in free agency. In other words, free agents who could join the Jets on the condition that they trade for Rodgers.

Some free agents who have been linked to Rodgers include wide receivers Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Adam Thielen as well as running back Jamaal Williams. Odell Beckham Jr. is another name that has been hinted at joining Rodgers in New York.

Free agents are waiting to see how the Rodgers situation resolves itself. Perhaps that's the biggest reason the Jets have been quiet in free agency to this point. Players aren't going to sign with a team if they're unsure who the quarterback is going to be, at least not in the instance.

Once the Jets receive clarity on Rodgers' status, expect the signings to come. Whether it's players with direct ties to Rodgers or free agents who simply want the opportunity to play with him, the Jets will become a very popular landing spot if this trade becomes official.

Until then, however, everyone is waiting — at least, the teams are. Rodgers seems to have gotten a head start on his recruiting pitches.

Justin Fried

Justin Fried is an editor for FanSided who has over seven years of experience covering the NFL and various other sports. A diehard Jets fan since birth, Justin has served as the editor for The Jet Press since 2019, interviewing athletes such as Sauce Gardner, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe Klecko, and many others. Justin has also worked closely with brands like Red Bull to help highlight the niche sectors of the sporting world. His four-part series on the sport of breaking remains one of his proudest pieces of work. In his spare time, Justin is an avid pro wrestling fan who is fortunate enough to have traveled to nearly 30 different countries.