
via Imago
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 15: New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers 8 warms up before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets on December 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl. Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 15 Jets at Jaguars EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon241215243588

via Imago
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 15: New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers 8 warms up before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets on December 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl. Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 15 Jets at Jaguars EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon241215243588
A former Jets star has a bone to pick in the off-season – just when we thought this NFL season couldn’t get juicier. It has turned into a full-blown reality show drama. Two franchises desperately trying to change their fortunes. A Hall of Fame quarterback – Aaron Rodgers, is caught in a bidding war. These are the kinds of off-season plays that keep the football fans hooked. And the best part? It is just getting started.
The Jets do have a weird history with their players. Aaron Rodgers called it “devastating” as he said, “I mean, it was devastating. I was ready to go, I felt great. And then, four plays in… boom.” And a former Jets linebacker, Haason Reddick, has also labelled his stint with the Jets as “bizarre” and “weird.” He honestly had the worst chapter in his NFL history last season, with just one sack in 10 games. Not exactly the resume flex he wanted. But now, the 30-year-old edge rusher is hitting the reset button and is out there to change his stats for good this season. Translation: Hungry for sacks. Lots of sacks.
And looks like he is moving on from the past as he said, “It’s a fresh start. Last year was last year. I’m in a different mindset, a different space. I’m ready to put the past behind and move forward. What better place to do that than right here?” Plus, what’s working in his favour is that the Bucs seem to agree. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have handed Haason Reddick a $14 million, one-year deal with $12 million guaranteed. But the real kicker is that he is going to be reunited with Larry Foote – the one who saw Reddick’s potential back when he was a rookie in Arizona, “I’m not going to be surprised if he destroys the league next year.”
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But Reddick’s move to Tampa isn’t just about securing a paycheck. It’s about two things: one, he wants to restore his reputation as a double-digit sacker in the league. And second, the connections he has with the Bucs. It was mainly these past relationships he had with Foote and Coach Bowles that made him choose the Bucs instead of any other team. Reddick said, “A lot of connections here. I went to Temple, so I have that Temple connection with Todd – Coach Bowles – and my guy Rock (cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross) and also Foote. He was my position coach out in Arizona when I got there. A lot of connections and familiarity. It’s a great place and a great organization, so why not?”
Plus, Tampa Bay’s pass rush needs some serious help – this could turn out to be a match made in football heaven. He just needs to get the expected sacks. As Foote said, “It’s a good problem to have on both sides. You want to get sacks? We want you to get sacks. That’s the nature of this game—it’s a pass-happy game. I just have to keep him grounded. You have to earn the right and play the run. I know he doesn’t mind that. He’s a little guy, and he reminds me of Shaq [Barrett]—with a punch. You have to be aggressive in the run game just like you’re rushing the passer.”
And with the Bucs Head Coach making it crystal clear what he is looking for – ballhawks. Looks like, Reddick fits there perfectly. Because Tampa Bay forced just four fumbles last year. Enter Reddick who has been a two-time Pro Bowler, with 17 fumbles in his career. And when Reddick was asked, what makes him an effective turnover machine when it comes to forcing fumbles. He said, “Repetition. Not to sound cliché, but practice makes perfect. Knowing that I’m unorthodox at the position, my knack was how can I be different? What could I do besides just getting to the quarterback to stand out? That was something that I worked on and had to drill a ton and a ton and a ton again.”
But beyond just technique, Reddick believes in having an edge over the others, “You’ve got to have an edge to play this game. I know based off the rules it’s getting less and less physical every year, but this is a physical sport at the end of the day. You don’t make it far without having a certain edge and a certain grit to you. So I definitely plan to bring that.” And Foote agrees with him, “That’s a speed thing. When you beat the guy so clean you have time to find the ball and slow down and focus on it. Normally when guys win clean and fast they can get that ball out.”
So, he’s about to turn up the heat on Tampa Bay’s defense – and Jets fans might just want to look away. But while he plans his redemption, the New York Giants are in a bidding war – making big moves of their own – like splurging out some good amount of money to Aaron Rodgers.
What’s your perspective on:
Are the Giants making a smart play for Rodgers, or is it a desperate gamble?
Have an interesting take?
The Giants are in desperate need of Aaron Rodgers
The famous Aaron Rodgers has become the most eligible free agent in the NFL right now. He is receiving the most tempting offers with each passing day. Yup, the same Rodgers who was supposed to lead the Jets to victory. But now, the teams are hovering around him. First, the Steelers, then the Minnesota Vikings, and now the New York Giants want him too. As they are trying to slide into his DMs.
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According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Giants have put the biggest offer on the table for Rodgers. “From what I understand, the New York Giants are the team right now that has offered the most,” Russini said on Scoop City.
But why do the Giants want him so desperately? Let’s just say – they had a pretty messy QB situation last year. Daniel Jones played just 6 games and got injured (tearing his ACL) and then Tyrod Taylor stepped in but got injured too. Somehow, they just finished the season. But their offense ranked at the 30th position – that sucks right?
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers is still rocking at the age of 41. He is a four-time MVP and a Super Bowl champion. In the 2022 season, he threw for 3,695 yards, 26 TDs, and 12 INTs with a 91.1 passer rating. And these are not his best numbers, but still, they are beyond awesome for the Giants. So, Rodgers could be the answer to the problems the Giants are facing as he could turn up their offense instantly. And a bonus? He knows how to win in the NFC, as he has spent almost 18 years terrorizing the conference with the Packers.
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But the real question is – will Rodgers actually consider this? Or will he leave the Giants hanging like an unanswered text?—Classic Rodgers style. Meanwhile, Haason Reddick is officially in revenge mode – ready to prove the Jets made a huge mistake. Either way, the NFL this season is getting very interesting every day. So, stay tuned.
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Debate
Are the Giants making a smart play for Rodgers, or is it a desperate gamble?