A new team is challenging the NY Jets for Aaron Rodgers, per report

An Aaron Rodgers trade might not be a done deal for the NY Jets, at least according to WFAN's Craig Carton. Carton said on Tuesday that a new team has apparently entered the fray and is challenging the Jets for Rodgers.

According to Carton, Rodgers to the Jets "is not a done deal," and "there is another team now." He went on to say that "if the New York Jets don't pull this off soon, meaning like now, they're not getting them."

Now, this is a bold claim and the first we've heard of any other team being interested in trading for Aaron Rodgers this offseason. If true, this would send shockwaves throughout the NFL and further complicate the Jets' quarterback situation.

Of course, Rodgers has already publicly declared his desire to play for the Jets. While not technically under contract yet, he, for all intents and purposes, is already a member of the organization.

He's helped recruit prospective free agents and been in contact with the coaching staff and front office. Rodgers is essentially already a New York Jet, which is what makes this report so...confusing.

Don't worry, the NY Jets are going to trade for Aaron Rodgers

I'll come right out and say it — I have serious questions about the legitimacy of this report. It seems highly unlikely that, despite no other NFL team expressing any interest in trading for Rodgers at any point this offseason, that an unknown contender would emerge at this stage.

Rodgers has already said he wants to play for the Jets. The Jets and Green Bay Packers have been engaged in trade talks for months. It just doesn't seem feasible that another team would emerge from out of nowhere to challenge the Jets for Rodgers.

This reads more so like a leak from the Packers organization to inspire a little panic from the Jets' ownership and front office. Green Bay has grown frustrated with the lack of progress on a deal, as have the Jets, so it makes sense that they'd want to accelerate the process.

That said, is anyone really going to believe this? Both the Jets and Packers need to get a deal done, preferably before the 2023 NFL Draft in a few weeks, especially for Green Bay. The Packers don't have leverage here, and neither do the Jets really.

I have a hard time believing that there is a mystery contender ready to steal Rodgers away from the Jets. Don't buy this report — the Jets are still going to trade for Aaron Rodgers.

It's a matter of when, not if.