Former New York Jets quarterback and current “The NFL Today” analyst, Boomer Esiason, has shared his thoughts on whether Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers will wear his beloved No. 12 jersey when he joins the Jets.
Joe Namath’s No. 12 Jersey Jets legend Joe Namath made headlines earlier this year when he said that he would let the organization un-retire his famous No. 12 jersey so that Rodgers could wear the only number he’s ever donned throughout his NFL career that began during the 2005 NFL Draft.
Esiason believes that Rodgers will not wear the No. 12 jersey for the Jets. “I can guarantee you he’s not wearing No. 12,” said Esiason during Monday’s edition of his morning show on New York radio station WFAN, per Lou DiPietro of Audacy. “He’s not a dummy. He’s one of the smartest guys who has ever played, and understands history and who Joe Namath is and why that number is so important.”
Comparing to Joe Montana’s Jersey Change Esiason compared Rodgers’ decision to how Hall of Famer Joe Montana changed numbers when he moved from the San Francisco 49ers to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1990s. Montana called Chiefs legend Len Dawson to say “he felt No. 16 in Kansas City should always be associated with Dawson.” Montana ultimately went from No. 16 to No. 19.
Rodgers Confirms He Intends to Play for Jets in 2023 Aaron Rodgers confirmed during a recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he intends to play for the Jets during the 2023 season. As shared by Mike Gavin of NBC Sports Chicago, the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player danced around the topic when asked about possibly wearing his and Namath’s No. 12 with the Jets.
Esiason’s Prediction on Rodgers’ New Jersey Number If and when Rodgers joins the Jets, Esiason believes that he will choose a new number out of respect for “Broadway Joe.” Esiason has been all over the Rodgers-New York links since the winter months and has ties to the Jets. Assuming the two teams work out a trade as soon as later this week, it sounds like Rodgers will pick a new digit he’ll wear during home games held at MetLife Stadium.
According to Esiason, Rodgers will likely choose between No. 8 or No. 10, as both numbers are available for him to use. “Aaron is either going to wear No. 8, which he wore in college—although he’d have to buy that off of (Jets wide receiver) Elijah Moore, assuming he’s still here,” said Esiason. “Or he’ll go with No. 10, which is available because Braxton Berrios got cut. So it’s either 8 or 10, but it won’t be No. 12; that’d be like someone wearing 12 in Packers history after he’s gone.”
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