The Jets searched from coast-to-coast for a solution to their quarterback problem.
Before they settled on Aaron Rodgers, SNY reports, the Jets made a tiered list of passers who they felt would be able to help win them a Super Bowl. There were three quarterbacks total in that tier: Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Lamar Jackson.
Despite the trade rumors surrounding Jackson, the Jets took his name off the list once it was made clear that his intentions were to return to Baltimore. Stafford's name had also been included in trade talks earlier in the offseason, but he recommitted to the Rams, leaving only one option left for New York.
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Once Rodgers emerged from his famed darkness retreat, he made it clear that he wanted to play for the Jets, signaling the start of a trade standoff between Gang Green and Green Bay.
The Jets were reportedly interested in a number of quarterbacks throughout the process. Jimmy Garoppolo's name had been floated about, but he signed with the Raiders.
Ryan Tannehill was also a backup plan for the Jets, but probably Backup Plan W or X.
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Jets brass also wined and dined quarterback Derek Carr — even going as far to call him a "Hall of Famer" if he signed with New York — but Carr settled in with the Saints.
The Jets waited until the week of the draft to finally strike a deal with the Packers, grabbing Rodgers from Green Bay for a 2023 second-round pick, a 2024 conditional second-round pick and a first-round pick swap in 2023.
Ultimately, though, the Jets got their guy for 2023 — but just know he wasn't the lone target entering the process.