RIdder had a 63.5 completion percentage in an offense ranked 31st in pass blocking. Also, if anyone in their first 3 seasons requests a trade, you either have one messed up staff, or you drafted the wrong guys.
I think AR gives the Jets the best chance of success now, and therefore gives Zach the most breathing room to develop. I agree with your assessment about ZW and that much of his problems stem from the poor coaching and support he got in terms of the best fit of system, etc. Anyone who watched his tape in college and even in the pros can't dismiss his raw talent, nor the fact that at times he actually did perform at a decent level in the pros, which shows that he's capable of doing better, and NOT incapable, as in "total bust" and "hopeless". Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I know of no one on this forum that's an expert in evaluating QBs, and so no matter how often or how strenuous they may say Zach is a bust it carries no more weight then me saying he isn't. But the guys who ARE paid professionals in assessing QBs have so far said they believe Zach can still succeed, so I'm going with that until they say differently. Which brings me to, I agree that Zach will likely be the QB#2 this year, especially if they get AR. If they don't get Rodgers, I could maybe see them getting rid of Zach at that point, and keeping White as the QB# behind whoever they finally get, although if they truly do believe in Zach then he'll remain as QB#2 in any case, and White will go away.
All this convo when we know the Celtics are going to be holding the bag when all is said and done. I'm wired to think this way.
https://www.nbcsports.com/video/new-york-jets-officials-reportedly-flying-out-meet-aaron-rodgers Great take by Simms & Florio regarding the Jets acquiring Rodgers.
Ridder was a mid-round pick who had 4 starts at QB where he looked okay. If that's what you go into the season with as your QB1, unless he turns out to be the hidden gem nobody else saw, you deserve to have the young talent requesting trades because you're showing them you're profoundly unserious about winning football games. (And "we're going to get a good QB next year, pinky promise" doesn't count as being serious.)
What the players think about Zach is meaningless. Its what JD and Saleh think about Zach that matters..
Saleh is close enough to the players that I'm pretty sure he has the same opinion of Zach that they do; he just can't be too public about it. Douglas OTOH I don't know. He could be one of those guys who refuses to ever admit a mistake. Hopefully not.
Would be funny if all the players tweet out and just act like Aaron is the QB even if Aaron decide to retire and we just deny reality and proceed on social media as if he's the QB moving forward.
Except Ridder is due a million a year for the next 3 years and we could actually build an o-line in front of him. Maybe even pull in another big name WR or edge. A move at this stage for a player like him is a move by a team that IS serious about building a champion. A move for Rodgers or Jimmy G is a desperate move to try and avoid a losing season for a year or two before the next rebuild.
Means its down to Rodgers, players probably know trade compensation is in place. I imagine Rodgers told the Jets FO something like "I still need some time to decide".
