The New York Jets will surely look for ways to upgrade the offense around Aaron Rodgers. One NFL analyst has a blockbuster proposal to strengthen the Jets' title pursuit.
The New York Jets enter the 2023 NFL season with sky-high expectations. Such is life with Aaron Rodgers on the roster. The 38-year-old QB is searching for his second ring and he's looking to drag the Jets out of the doldrums while he's at it.
New York has an elite defense and plenty of compelling offensive weapons, starting with second-year stars Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. Rodgers is coming off his worst season as a full-time starter, but he's still a singular football genius with a tried and true arm.
That said, the Jets will face stiff competition in the AFC East and in the broader NFL landscape. Josh Allen and the Bills are right up the road. Patrick Mahomes lurks to the west, as do Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert. The AFC has no shortage of high-end QB play. What matters is, how strong are the weapons around the quarterback?
Breece Hall can outrun anybody and Garrett Wilson is a burgeoning superstar at receiver, but the remainder of the Jets' pass-catching weapons are middling at best. Allen Lazard, Corey Davis, Mecole Hardman, and Tyler Conklin may not get the job done.
Thankfully, Seth Walder of ESPN Analytics is here to save the day with a blockbuster trade proposal.
NFL Rumors: Mike Evans joins Aaron Rodgers on New York Jets in proposed trade
This would certainly bolster the Jets' receiving corps in a major way. Mike Evans is not without concerns tied to age and injury history, but the 29-year-old remains one of the best in the NFL at his position. Evans won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay and would surely be eager to pursue the same goal with Rodgers in New York.
The Bucs are at the front end of a rebuild, currently choosing between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask at quarterback. Neither is a particularly appealing short-term option and one has to imagine Tampa will be far removed from contention next season, even in the paltry NFC South. Evans is known to be discussing a contract extension with the Bucs, but it wouldn't be all that shocking for Tampa Bay to change direction and prioritize draft capital over expensive veterans.
Evans would line up opposite Wilson at receiver for New York, giving Rodgers two dynamic downfield options. Evans is a massive target, standing 6-foot-5 with the strength of a linebacker and the agility of, well, a top-shelf wideout. His ability to sky for contested grabs is one of one. Wilson is slender and speedy, giving the Jets nice variety between their star pass-catchers in this hypothetical.
Last season, Evans managed 1,124 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games. He struggled to find pay dirt at his usual rate, but the problems in Tampa's offense stretched far beyond him. With Rodgers and a full accompaniment of weapons around him, one has to imagine Evans would be well-positioned for a proper bounce back in 2023.
In this scenario, the Jets' receiving corps would suddenly stack up with the best in the AFC, clearly surpassing Kansas City's group and probably even Buffalo's Stefon Diggs-Gabe Davis duo. Nobody is touching the Bengals' top wideouts, but Rodgers with an experienced No. 1 receiver, an up-and-comer like Wilson, and one of the best RBs in football is a potent mix.
Certainly, one Jets fans would feel good about.