Joe Namath wants Aaron Rodgers to wear his retired No. 12 with Jets
Joe Namath has a gracious offer for Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets legend called into WFAN’s “Tiki & Tierney” on Thursday and made the case for Rodgers to join Gang Green — and wear his long-retired no. 12 jersey.
“I hope it can come true but it’s farfetched: I know Mr. [Jets owner Woody] Johnson’s trying to get a quarterback. If there’s a way he can get Rodgers … I’m a big Rodgers fan, and I noticed that he wears number 12 of course. Man, if we get him, is he still going to wearing number 12? Because that number was retired years ago…”
Namath was informed by the hosts that this would be his decision to adjudicate.
“Well, it’s on ownership. It’s different ownership. Different people. And I’d sure love Rodgers if he’s there. Yeah, I want him to wear his number. We established ourselves and we’ve got a real respect for our numbers, and Aaron Rodgers, God almighty, yeah! It’d be great to have him in New York.”
Rodgers has been noncommittal on whether he will return to the Packers, retire or seek a trade to another team. He is under contract with Green Bay through 2026, so they would need to work together on a mutually agreeable destination.
Rodgers turned 39 in December. If he did go to the Jets, it would represent a parallel back to 2008 when the Packers traded Brett Favre to New York and installed Rodgers as starter. Jordan Love, who the Packers selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has sat behind Rodgers for three seasons, just as Rodgers did with Favre.
As for incumbent quarterback Zach Wilson, Namath said that he didn’t know the 23-year-old personally but said his opinion was that “we need to make a change.”
Regarding another no. 12, Tom Brady, Namath said that “of course” he’d respect Brady wearing that number for the Jets. Brandon Tierney chimed in that he does not want Brady, who will be 46 years old next season, on the team. Namath pivoted to calling the idea of bringing in the seven-time Super Bowl champion “unrealistic.”