NFL
Tom Brady is the first name ruled out to substitute Aaron Rodgers for the Jets
After the injury to Aaron Rodgers, the Jets are looking for options to replace him, with Brady already removed from the list of potential substitutes.
Aaron Rodgers will miss the entire NFL season due to a injury sustained to his achilles tendon, meaning the worst news for the Jets has actually come to pass. On Tuesday it was confirmed that the ex-Green Bay Packers Quarter Back will not wear his helmet again this season.
“It’s important for him [to be around the team]”, manager Robert Saleh said as he tried to support the player. “For him, I think it’s the mental health and healing. I think that’s very important. But his presence, his words. ... I said he’s as much a football coach as he is a player. Just having his presence, his thoughts, his words and his leadership, anybody would want that.”
Is Tom Brady going to play for the Jets?
The Jets, who broke TV records due to Rodgers getting injured, are already looking for a replacement given the injury, either to fill in the role full time or support Zach Wilson and give the youngster guidance. However, one of the names that the fans are already talking about is that of Tom Brady, and the New England Patriots are worried about his potential move to their rivals.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic, assured that sources close the Jets confirmed that the organisation does not have Brady in their plans and a return from retirement is not on the cards; the player himself has even made clear he has no plans to play again.
In any case, before knowing that the Jets were not actively looking to tempt Brady to play, the chances of the veteran accepting any offer were slim to none, especially after receiving such a warm reception from New England, where he created his legendary status.
Who else might the Jets sign to replace Rodgers?
“This is an incredible celebration for me, for our family, for my teammates, for all of us to come back and thank you guys, for what you’ve done for us,” Brady said. “I was so fortunate to be drafted here two decades ago -- 23 years, to be exact -- not even knowing where New England was on the map. And not that we put it on the map, but I think a lot more people in the U.S. know where the New England Patriots play.”
As such, the Jets are forced to scratch their heads and think of other alternatives to substitute Rodgers. At the time of writing, Colin Kaepernick, who has not played in the league since 2016, has shown himself to be ready to come back if called upon in order to fill the huge hole on the field.