Former Pats assistant responds to wild Aaron Rodgers rumor

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Former Patriots assistant responds to wild Aaron Rodgers rumor

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/16/23

Former New England Patriots assistant to the coaching staff Michael Lombardi isn't buying that the club attempted to land Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers this offseason.

"I don't get the sense New England was in on Aaron," Lombardi said during a Friday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," as shared by Tzvi Machlin of the Spun. "I think, certainly, they have great respect for Aaron as a player."

Lombardi added he believes the Patriots were more concerned about helping 2021 first-round draft pick Mac Jones improve coming off a lackluster sophomore pro season than about pursuing Rodgers or a different proven commodity, such as Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson. New England ultimately hired Bill O'Brien as its new offensive coordinator presumably to get the best out of Jones in 2023.

"I kind of have a sense of what they're thinking," Lombardi continued about the Patriots.

"I don't get the sense that the Patriots were in on Aaron Rodgers..

Let's just say I kind of have a sense on what they're thinking in that building"@mlombardiNFL #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/vTUifKp60Z
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 16, 2023

Lombardi was responding to Fox Sports personality Craig Carton, who reported earlier in the week that the Patriots "made an offer" to the Packers for Rodgers at some point after the 2022 season.

"And when Aaron Rodgers heard it, his agent said, 'No, we ain't playing for New England, we want to be a Jet,'" Carton explained.

Carton previously generated headlines when he linked Rodgers with the San Francisco 49ers before the future Hall of Famer officially joined the New York Jets via a trade. At least one insider quickly debunked Carton's 49ers-Rodgers theory.

Reports about head coach Bill Belichick allegedly "shopping" Jones hovered over the Patriots in the weeks leading up to this year's draft. Back in April, Lombardi poured cold water over such speculation and said that letting other teams know that Jones is available "is against everything (Belichick) would do." Lombardi went on to say any reports about Jones being "shopped" were "erroneous."

Carton's questionable track record regarding Rodgers rumors combined with Lombardi's knowledge of the Patriots indicate this is a "nothing to see here" story. For better or for worse, Belichick seemingly is all-in on letting Jones sink or swim as his QB1 beginning when the Patriots open the regular season versus the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 10.

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