Packers guard Jon Runyan, who started in front of Aaron Rodgers for three seasons, is a free agent who could be on the New York Jets’ radar.
Jon Runyan is among the Green Bay free agents that Aaron Rodgers could recruit to the New York Jets
After acquiring Aaron Rodgers in 2023, the New York Jets made an all-out effort to surround him with familiar faces. Allen Lazard, Billy Turner, Randall Cobb, Malik Taylor, Tim Boyle, and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett all followed Rodgers from Wisconsin to New Jersey.
Every single one of those additions was a failure. You would think the Jets might learn their lesson and steer clear of allowing Rodgers to recruit his buddies again in 2024, but there are no indications he plans to relinquish his role as the quasi-assistant general manager. It should be expected that Rodgers will continue influencing the Jets’ roster decisions until proven otherwise.
With that in mind, it makes sense to turn our attention to some of the former Green Bay Packers players who will become available this offseason.
Current Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams is the obvious headliner. New York tried to trade for Adams at the deadline and seems prepared to pursue him again.
But the Jets’ greatest position of need is the offensive line, and at that position, there is a Packers starter who is set for free agency and would be an interesting target for New York even if Rodgers wasn’t on the team: Jon Runyan.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini briefly mentioned Runyan in a December 24 article where he discussed Packers players who might be on the “Rodgers 2024 watch list.” Cimini stated the Jets are “leaning on Rodgers, the way the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaned on Tom Brady in 2020. Brady recruited key players such as tight end Rob Gronkowski, who helped them to a Super Bowl. The Jets hope Rodgers, in Year 2, can do the same.”
Rodgers’ cronies – such as Lazard, Cobb, and Turner – were flops in 2024. Is Runyan a player who can flip the script on Rodgers’ recruiting abilities? Let’s take a look at what he brings to the table as a free agent.
