Jets GM Joe Douglas says it would be ‘disingenuous’ to explore trade options for Lamar Jackson
PHOENIX — Early on Monday morning, as Ravens coach John Harbaugh was about to speak at the NFL owners meeting, Lamar Jackson announced on Twitter he requested a trade from Baltimore.
Many have speculated which teams could target Jackson this offseason after Baltimore placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on him earlier this month. The Jets won’t be one of the teams in the Jackson sweepstakes, as general manager Joe Douglas nixed that idea when asked about potentially acquiring the former NFL MVP.
“First of all, Lamar Jackson is a fantastic player,” Douglas said. “But where we stand is, you know, it would be disingenuous in an operating negotiating in bad faith if we went down that path. So right now, we have our plan. We have our process, and we’re sticking to that.
The path the Jets are going down is trying to acquire four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers from the Packers. Earlier this month, Green Bay gave New York permission to speak with the 18-year veteran. Douglas, owner Woody Johnson, coach Robert Saleh, and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett flew to California to meet with Rodgers.
However, the Jets and the Packers have still not agreed to terms on a trade for Rodgers. Reportedly, the Packers want more draft compensation than the Jets are currently willing to offer, so the two sides have been at a stalemate.
The Jets had an opportunity to sign another quarterback this offseason as Derek Carr became a free agent after the Raiders released him in February. Carr visited with the Jets in New Jersey and at the NFL Combine. But it was clear Rodgers was the Jets’ top choice and Carr signed a four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints instead.
It appears the Jets have learned from that situation, as they don’t want to use Jackson to gain leverage.
“We’re staying on the path that we are on right now,” Douglas said. “It’s just, we’re never going to operate in bad faith.”
Also, the price of obtaining Jackson from the Ravens would be steep. Not only would the Jets have to give Jackson a contract, possibly around $200 million guaranteed, but they also would have to give the Ravens two first-round picks. It’s unlikely the Jets will have to give up two first-round picks for Rodgers, but the Packers reportedly want the No. 13 overall pick in this year’s draft.
With the start of the team’s offseason program coming up on April 17, the Jets don’t seem to have a timeline on when the trade for Rodgers has to be made.
“I’m not hitting the panic button,” Saleh said on Monday morning. “I’ve talked to you guys before, I worry about the things I got control over. That’s something I have zero control over.
“I’m just gonna focus my energy on the things that I can do. You know what, it is what it is. I’m confident that things are gonna work out.
“I’m very positive personally and optimistic so that things will go the way we were hoping.”
