FOXBORO — After Aaron Rodgers likely missed the season with an Achilles injury just four games into his Jets career Monday night, New York fans are already looking for another quarterback to lead the team. Toward glory.Not surprisingly, some have floated the idea of bringing in a retired quarterback who has had great success be opposed to Jets over two decades: Tom Brady.
Brady seemed happy to retire, but you know some fans and pundits were going to go down the “Brady to Jets” route once Rodgers was helped off the field against Buffalo on Monday night.Eli Manning asked the question on Monday night manningcastle Nick Wright shared his thoughts on the matter on X.
If Rodgers’ injury is as serious as it sounds during this halftime show, there’s only one possible answer:
Tom Brady joins Jets.
—Nick Wright (@getnickwright) September 12, 2023
Fans are starting to jump on the bandwagon, and longtime New York sportswriter Gary Myers jumped on the train Tuesday morning.
Yo Loser @tombrady Have a small collection of strategies. He can put it into a trust or escrow or anywhere else for a year. I’m serious: The Jets need to call him. I love New York. Can you imagine if he would have won a Super Bowl for the Jets? The 2020 Jets roster is just as good as the Buccaneers.
—Gary Myers (@GaryMyersNY) September 12, 2023
Jets fans and New Yorkers are understandably hoping that the 46-year-old will lead the team to a Super Bowl title. Brady has won seven of them in his 23-year career, and he’s won a lot of games against the Jets, going 30-7 against their AFC East rivals. . He also had an 18-3 record in his career in New Jersey, with three of those wins coming against the New York Giants.
Aside from Brady retiring (which we think is real this time), there are other obstacles to this fantasy becoming a reality. Brady has an ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, so he would have to give up that stake in order to play again. Considering Brady’s massive portfolio, he probably wouldn’t be too excited about giving up a piece of the Raiders.
It was also a small thing when Brady declared himself a “lifelong patriot” during Sunday’s halftime ceremony at Gillette Stadium. Patriots owner Robert Kraft has waived the team’s waiting period for the Hall of Fame and will induct Brady next June, so any return — especially the Jets — won’t be affected by New England’s Team owners or Patriots fans welcome.
No one doubts that Brady might still be able to suit up every weekend and win a lot of games for anyone. But he admitted to being a little winded after another sprint to the sideline at Gillette on Sunday, and he certainly seemed to be enjoying his retirement. He brought his three children and several family members with him to attend Sunday’s festivities in Foxborough and watched some of the U.S. Open in New York over the weekend. He seemed content with no longer playing football.
Brady taking over Manhattan will be the storyline of the NFL. Jets fans can certainly dream, but they may have to settle for another season from Zach Wilson or a veteran like quarterback Nick Foles.