Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is on record as saying he intends to play for the New York Jets next season.
The Packers, however, have to acquiesce to that wish. And the Jets still have to pay whatever ransom price the Packers decide for Rodgers, who views himself as the greatest player in franchise history.
Whether that deal can be struck remains to be seen. However, former Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns executive Joe Banner believes that the Jets hold all the leverage in the situation.
“For me, the Jets can wait without any risk or consequence,” Banner told The New York Post.
“The Packers, by waiting, risk that, for some reason, the Jets would not be interested, and then they have no one [to trade with], which really ruins their team for two, probably three years,” Banner continued.
“Believing the Jets will do something that will reflect impatience is not leverage. That’s just hoping they’re stupid. Leverage is putting the Packers in a position where they could lose the only interested team, which creates a complete disaster for them.”
Banner believes the Jets can maximize their position by waiting as long as possible to strike a deal for Rodgers.
“If I’m the Jets, I’m getting him for as little as I can, and I am absolutely not putting a one at risk, no matter what.”
