NY Jets news: Aaron Rodgers to the 49ers?, Sauce Gardner for MVP

Aaron Rodgers is going to be traded to the NY Jets. This is a notion that's been very evident for well over a month now. The question hasn't been if but when in regard to a Rodgers trade.

However, not everyone has gotten the memo, it seems, or perhaps they're just looking to stir the pot. WFAN's Tiki Barber insisted on Wednesday that the Jets could be on the verge of realizing "their worst nightmare."

Barber believes that the San Francisco 49ers could emerge as legitimate contenders to trade for Rodgers, with Brock Purdy's status for the 2023 season uncertain.

It's not worth entertaining theories like this one. The Jets are the only team that can realistically trade for Rodgers at this stage. The Jets know it. The Packers know it. Rodgers knows it. For some reason, Barber is one of the few who hasn't been clued in yet.

Other NY Jets news

Sauce Gardner wants to win MVP

Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner set high expectations for his rookie year, and when the dust settled, it's hard to argue that he didn't surpass each and every expectation.

Gardner became the first rookie cornerback in more than 40 years to be named first-team All-Pro. He was voted to the Pro Bowl and named Defensive Rookie of the Year. Now, Gardner has his sights set on a new, possibly unattainable goal.

He wants to be named MVP.

Only two defensive players have ever been named MVP, and none since 1986. Only one non-quarterback has won the award since 2007. Gardner admitted on Twitter that the odds aren't in his favor, but that he'll "reach for the stars every time."

Sauce Gardner a favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year

A more attainable goal for Gardner in 2023 is to win Defensive Player of the Year. Now, calling it an "attainable" goal might be a stretch, especially since only two cornerbacks have won the award in the last 27 years.

But if anyone is going to do it, the odds seem to be with Gardner.

According to FanDuel's latest betting odds, Gardner has the fifth-highest odds to win Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 (+1100). Of the top 10 players on the list, Gardner is the only non-defensive lineman/edge rusher — that includes Quinnen Williams who is tied for ninth with +2500 odds.

It speaks volumes that Gardner is truly in a league of his own when it comes to players at his position. Vegas certainly believes that Gardner is the clear-cut best cornerback in football. It's easy to forget that he's played just 17 games in the NFL.