The Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets agreed on a trade this offseason that shook up the landscape of the NFL. Obviously, the trade sent Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets after 18 seasons in Green Bay. However, Aaron Rodgers brought some luggage. Many former Green Bay Packers players signed with the Jets, and the team also hired Nathaniel Hackett in the offseason. Hackett definitely played a major factor in bringing Aaron Rodgers to the Jets. The migration of Packers players to the New York Jets is not lost on Matt LaFleur. In an interview with Tom Pelissero, he called the New York Jets “Green Bay East.”
From Inside Training Camp: My interview with #Packers coach Matt LaFleur, who talks expectations for Jordan Love, the high upside of Christian Watson and the fastest man in camp — 6-6, 253-pound rookie TE Luke Musgrave. pic.twitter.com/x7OtQQeOn2
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 3, 2023
Are the New York Jets “Green Bay East?”
It is hard to call the signing of Packers players by the Jets a coincidence. Since news broke of Aaron Rodgers’ intention to play for the Jets the team has signed Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Adrian Amos, Adrian Amos, Billy Turner, Tim Boyle, Malik Taylor and Adam Pankey.
Specifically, Aaron Rodgers has talked about his close relationship with Randall Cobb. In 2021 the Green Bay Packers even traded for Randall Cobb as a form of making Aaron Rodgers happy and bringing him back to the team. Other players on the list like Billy Turner, Allen Lazard and Tim Boyle are also good friends of Aaron Rodgers. Including Hackett, the Jets have eight former members of the Green Bay Packers organization that shared time with Rodgers when he was a member of the team.
Are the New York Jets on the Green Bay Packers Mind
Tom Pelissero asked Matt LaFleur if he will be paying any extra attention to the Jets this season. The New York Jets’ record at the end of the year directly impacts the Green Bay Packers. If Aaron Rodgers plays 65% of the Jets snaps this season the Packers will acquire their first-round pick in 2024. However, Matt LaFleur does not seem too worried about the Jets in 2023.
“I think we have enough to worry about with the Green Bay Packers, but certainly a lot of people I care about in that organization, on that staff. You always take account for what other teams are doing, especially the guys that you are closest with in this league.”
-Matt LaFleur to Tom Pelissero
As Always
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