Tom Brady could screw over the NY Jets one final time

Tom Brady made a career out of tormenting the NY Jets. However, following Brady's (hopefully official) retirement last week, the hope was that his days of tormenting would finally be over.

Unfortunately, he might just have one final parting "gift" for the Jets. Even in retirement, Brady continues to haunt his longtime adversaries.

Brady's retirement had a significant effect on the state of the entire quarterback market this offseason. In particular, his decision to retire greatly affected the plans of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Numerous reports suggested that the Raiders were expected to heavily pursue Brady this offseason. Head coach Josh McDaniels was looking forward to a potential reunion, and the Raiders seemingly had him pegged as their top choice.

With Brady out of the picture, however, they've been forced to pivot. Their second choice seemingly conflicts with the man the Jets are eyeing to be their next quarterback: Aaron Rodgers.

Tom Brady's retirement could cost the NY Jets Aaron Rodgers

It's become increasingly clear that Rodgers is the Jets' preferred target this offseason. Reports suggest that the Jets are "infatuated" with Rodgers and that their interest in the future Hall of Fame quarterback was the worst-kept secret at the Senior Bowl.

The Jets want Rodgers, and other teams know that. Following the hiring of new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, the Jets became the betting favorite to land Rodgers. They even had better odds than the Packers at one point.

As of less than two weeks ago, the Jets were the betting favorite for Rodgers at +110. Those odds have dropped significantly, however, in the wake of Brady's retirement.

As of the time of writing, the Raiders have surged to the top of the betting odds as the clear-cut favorite. FOX Bet has the Raiders as -275 favorites to trade for Rodgers while the Jets have dropped to a measly +400 — the lowest they've been in weeks.

This is a direct result of Brady's retirement. The Raiders have shifted their attention to Rodgers, and the oddsmakers clearly believe they have a better chance to land him than the Jets do.

If that's the case, if Rodgers is actually traded to the Raiders, it will come as a direct result of Brady retiring. The Jets would miss out on their top quarterback option, a player who would almost undoubtedly be their best QB since Joe Namath, all because of Brady.

It's kind of poetic in some cruel, twisted way. Brady made a career out of tormenting the Jets, and that career wouldn't be complete without one final act of scornful agony directed at his longtime antagonists.

If Aaron Rodgers does end up with the Raiders, the Jets have only one man to blame for their shortcomings — and it's the same man they've been able to blame for many of their woes over the last two decades.