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Video: Aaron Rodgers Reacts to Jets Drafting Olu Fashanu over Raiders' Brock Bowers

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVApril 26, 2024

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 7: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets runs onto the field prior to the start of the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
Kathryn Riley/Getty Images

Another draft has passed with Aaron Rodgers' team electing not to draft a wide receiver or tight end in the first round.

The New York Jets selected Penn State offensive lineman Olu Fashanu with the No. 11 overall pick, which gives the quarterback more protection up front. But Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, who ended up going No. 13 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, was still available.

Rodgers appeared on ESPN's Pat McAfee's draft special and reacted to New York's moves:

"We already made three moves in the offseason," he said regarding the offensive line. " … So it wasn't necessarily on top of the needs. But I know they really loved Olu. … He didn't give up a sack his entire college career. Which is saying a lot because you're going against great schools in the Big Ten."

Rodgers also notably addressed the Bowers situation and said, "I love our tight ends. People were talking about us needing Brock, and we brought him in on a visit and I heard it was a very positive visit."

While the future Hall of Famer didn't seem upset with the situation and continued to list positives about the team's current tight ends, it was still notable that his team again passed on the opportunity to draft a skill-position player such as Bowers.

After all, the Green Bay Packers didn't select a pass-catcher in the first round during any of his 15 years as the starter before he joined the Jets.

It didn't stop him from winning a Super Bowl and consistently putting the team in the playoffs, but it was still a shocking streak. New York's current front office has nothing to do with what happened with the Packers, but Rodgers was surely thinking about that as he watched Thursday's draft unfold.

To the Jets' credit, they did address the wide receiver position this offseason by signing Mike Williams.

Williams and Garrett Wilson make up a formidable one-two punch on the outside, and running back Breece Hall is poised for a breakthrough season. Tight end isn't quite as inspiring with Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert, which is surely why some thought the Jets might take Bowers.

And Bowers, who was an All-American at Georgia, would have been a matchup nightmare with his versatility for opposing defenses that will already have their hands full with Wilson and Williams.

However, the Jets chose to add depth to the offensive line in front of Rodgers as they attempt to make a postseason run in the AFC East.