Favre-ian Slip

The New York Jets are confident they’ve found at least a temporary answer to their long-time quarterback woes.

They’re expecting to land Aaron Rodgers, per an ESPN report.

In the wake of an extensive in-person meeting between Aaron Rodgers & New York Jets brass, including owner Woody Johnson, there’s optimism in the Jets’ organization that they are on the brink of landing the future Hall of Fame QB, sources close to the situation tell ESPN.

— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 9, 2023

GETTY IMAGES: Could Aaron Rodgers once again be following in Brett Favre’s footsteps and be headed to the Jets?

Rodgers would reunite with new Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, his OC in Green Bay for two of his MVP seasons from 2020-21.

The Jets’ nightmarish QB situation in 2022 caused the team to shuffle through four different starters.

Despite a top defense, the Jets finished 7-10, which was one more win than their previous two seasons combined.

But first …

The Jets actually added to their improved defense, reportedly trading with the Baltimore Ravens for safety Chuck Clark, who’s been on the block since last offseason after Baltimore signed safety Marcus Williams to a long-term deal and drafted former Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton in the first round.

Sources: The #Ravens are expected to trade safety Chuck Clark to the #Jets in exchange for late-round draft pick compensation. The starter since 2019, Clark now adds veteran experience to NYJ. It should be official when the league year begins. pic.twitter.com/wglGz3oXA1

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2023

No surprise Jets GM Joe Douglas adds a player from the franchise where Douglas cut his teeth, working 14 seasons under Ozzie Newsome and Eric DeCosta.

Clark, a Philly native, has started since 2019 and last year finished with his first 100-tackle season. He’s played every defensive snap for the Ravens – over 1,000 per season – in each of the past three seasons.

Clark started 60 games for Baltimore, not bad for a sixth-round pick.

Moving On

The Vikings are preparing for life after Adam Thielen, per an ESPN report.

There’s a real possibility that the Vikings and Adam Thielen will part ways in the coming days, allowing the two-time Pro-Bowl WR to become a free agent, per sources. The two sides will talk in coming days, but his time in Minnesota could be coming to an end.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2023

Thielen, a two-time Pro Bowl wideout who turns 33 in August, still produced more than 700 yards and caught six touchdowns last year, even as Justin Jefferson has emerged as the team’s top weapon.

But the emergence of K.J. Osborn, coupled with their trade for Eagles 2020 first-round pick Jalen Reagor, and the reality of needing to extend Jefferson probably this offseason, makes Theilen’s departure practically inevitable.

Thielen could probably find employment as a productive, cost-effective slot receiver for a good team that needs more help on the interior.

Cutting Ties

The Jaguars announced they released cornerback Shaq Griffin after just two seasons.

The team reportedly saves more than $13 million with the move, and sources have told ITB to expect Jacksonville to target corners in free agency.

Another suitor potentially emerges for Eagles cornerback James Bradberry.

Also, the Eagles released OT Brett Toth, who missed almost all of last season to come back from ACL surgery.

Taketh From Texans
The NFL announced that it’s stripping the Houston Texans of a fifth-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft for salary cap-related violations along with fining the franchise $175,000.

The league said the Texans provided former quarterback Deshaun Watson “undisclosed compensation in the form of a membership at an alternative athletic facility in 2020.”

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

Listen to the latest Inside The Birds podcast with Adam Caplan and Geoff Mosher:

Or watch on YouTube: