If New York Jets are going to produce a fruitful 2024-25 NFL season, Aaron Rodgers believes there are two specific free agents that the team needs to sign before their offense reaches its full potential.
While one would imagine that Rodgers is probably keen to sign an additional wide receiver or bolster the offensive line to help him remain healthy, his focus is actually on two special teams players.
During a guest appearance on Cameron Hanes's "Keep Hammering Collective" podcast this week Rodgers discussed his expectations for this upcoming season — and disclosed a pair of free agents that he considers paramount to the Jets' success.
"I like our chances, & I feel like if I'm out there, we've always got a chance."
Aaron Rodgers says we have a good group of talented young guys & our D is stacked, we just need to shore up OL & add WR
Aaron says Morstead & Zuerlein were incredible & he wants them back #Jets pic.twitter.com/NzmDg3S2J1
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) March 6, 2024
"Thomas Morstead was our punter, he had a phenomenal season," Rodgers said. "He's in his late 30s but takes care of himself incredibly well. He was just a weapon for us, with hang time, with inside-the-20 punts, inside-the-10 punts.
"They were game changing plays."
Morstead is a soon to be 38-year-old punter, who signed a one year deal with the Jets prior to the 2023-24 season. He was one of the best punters in the league last year — and is someone Rodgers clearly considers essential.
Morstead isn't the only former Jets' special teams player that Rodgers wants back in New York.
"And then Greg Zuerlein, our kicker, had a phenomenal year," Rodgers said on the podcast. "I think he only missed two kicks all year. He's just a weapon, and he can hit it from anywhere. He can hit it from 60 [yards]. Every kick is a touchback for us."
While Rodgers wasn't quite accurate on Zuerlein's stats, the 35-of-38 on field goal attempts and 15-of-16 extra points that "Legatron" nailed last year proves that he's one of the NFL's elite kickers.
"[Morstead and Zuerlein] are weapons, so, I'd like to see those guys back, for sure," Rodgers added.
Considering that the Jets are probably willing to do everything in their power to keep Rodgers content heading into next season, there's a good chance we'll see both Morstead and Zuerlein back on the Jets next season.
Whether their presence will help the Jets reach the playoffs for the first time since 2010 remains to be seen.
