On Thursday, the New York Jets signed a former Green Bay Packers quarterback, but not the one everyone is waiting for.
While the Jets continue trade talks surrounding a move for NFL superstar Aaron Rodgers with his current franchise, they signed Tim Boyle, one of his former backups. Rodgers is likely to officially change teams only after the 2023 NFL draft.
The 28-year-old Boyle, who played last season with the Chicago Bears, will work again with Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. The two met in the 2019 and 2020 seasons in Green Bay, where Hackett served as coordinator from 2019 to 2021.
Jets bolster D-line
The Jets also strengthened their defensive line and signed defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson on Thursday, according to ESPN. The team did not disclose the terms of the deal for Jefferson, who was released by the Seattle Seahawks in March.
The 30-year-old Jefferson played in all 17 games last season and started three times. His 5.5 sacks and six tackles for loss were both personal bests.
He is the favorite to succeed defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, who signed with the Houston Texans, although the Jets could still fill the position in the draft. The Jets unsuccessfully tried to sign Fletcher Cox and Calais Campbell before turning their attention to Jefferson.
The former packers qb, now a jet
Boyle joins former No. 2 pick Zach Wilson and Chris Streveler, a former practice squad player. Wilson will definitely be QB number two, according to Coach Robert Saleh, who said so at the annual league meeting last week. Tim Boyle brings experience and familiarity with the system, which will be helpful in introducing the new offense.
In his first two seasons, Saleh used three quarterbacks each. It is not unusual for the Jets to sign a veteran. Boyle essentially replaces Mike White, who signed as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins. Backup Joe Flacco is still available on the free agent market.
Boyle spent three seasons with the Packers and joined the team in 2018 as a free agent from Eastern Kentucky. He played behind Aaron Rodgers, the NFL MVP of 2020, and threw only four passes at Lambeau Field during his time in Green Bay.
Nevertheless, he made a strong impression on superstar quarterback Rodgers.
“He’s just a special guy,” Rodgers once told Green Bay reporters as Boyle prepared for his first start with the Detroit Lions. “I’ve seen him grow and develop over the years, not just as a person but also as a player. He has a great arm and is also very athletic.”
Boyle lost all three starts for the Lions in 2021, completing 61 of 94 passes for 526 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions. He was released in the preseason of 2022 and eventually signed by the Bears on November 30. He only played in one game for the Bears and threw two interceptions as a backup in the last game of the season.
What’s up with the Aaron Rodgers trade?
Despite the fact that the Packers have given up their desire for the 13th pick this year, a trade for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the New Yorkers is still in limbo. It has been over three weeks since he first expressed his “intention” to play in New York.
With the NFL draft just over three weeks away, there is no reason for the two teams to move towards their goal before the selection process begins.