NY Jets 'wanted' Jimmy Garoppolo as they continue to wait on Aaron Rodgers

As the NY Jets continue to await a decision from Aaron Rodgers, their possible fallback options are dwindling. The most notable QB domino to fall so far in free agency has been Jimmy Garoppolo, who reportedly signed a three-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday.

Garoppolo was widely seen as the most likely contingency plan for the Jets if they missed out on Rodgers. With no clear decision from Rodgers yet, the Jets have just missed out on another fallback option.

The Jets seemingly did more than just check in on Garoppolo, however. ESPN's Dianna Russini is reporting that the Jets and Houston Texans both "wanted" Garoppolo as well.

Does that mean the Jets made an offer to Garoppolo? Does it mean they wanted to sign him but couldn't because of Rodgers? Or does it just mean he was their Plan B (or Plan C, if you include Derek Carr)? That much remains unclear.

What is clear, however, is that the Jets' options are limited at this point if they can't land Rodgers.

What do the NY Jets do if they can't trade for Aaron Rodgers?

Aside from Garoppolo, now-former Jets quarterback Mike White signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Miami Dolphins. The Jets' AFC East rivals have landed their backup quarterback and given him very high-end backup money in the process.

That's a price tag the Jets were likely never willing to meet, but White is another potential fallback option (albeit a significant fallback option) the team has missed out on.

The wait for Rodgers is preventing the Jets from fully exploring the free-agent market. Not only are they missing out on other quarterbacks, but it's also difficult to convince other free agents to join the team without knowing who their quarterback is going to be.

Does the Jets' potentially serious interest in Garoppolo suggest they're concerned about Rodgers? That depends on how you interpret Russini's report. We've reached out for further clarification and have not heard back at this time.

What we do know is this: Aaron Rodgers is, for all intents and purposes, holding the Jets and Packers hostage. Two organizations with their hands tied waiting on a decision.