The New York Jets are ‘upset’ by news that Aaron Rodgers is considering leaving the NFL to serve as the running mate for Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
According to the New York Times, Kennedy approached Rodgers and former WWE wrestler Jesse Ventura, who was previously the governor of Minnesota, about participating on his ticket.
Kennedy has concentrated on gaining admission to the ballot, an expensive and time-consuming procedure that he estimates will need him to collect more than a million signatures in a state-by-state campaign.
Many states require independent candidates to designate a running mate before being eligible for the ballot, which explains the early drive for Kennedy to make a choice.
Rodgers, the former Green Bay Packers quarterback who now plays for the Jets, shares Kennedy’s skepticism about vaccine mandates and, like Kennedy, is a frequent guest on anti-establishment podcasts.
The New York Jets are concerned by suggestions that Aaron Rodgers is considering leaving the NFL to become Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate.
Kennedy is preparing to announce a running partner and is in talks with contenders. However, Rodgers is expected to play for the New York Jets this autumn, potentially interfering with the campaign. The general election will take place on Tuesday, November 5.
Rodgers only played four snaps in his first season with the Jets after suffering a serious Achilles injury in the first game last September.
DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal that the Jets are ‘upset’ with Rodgers, calling it ‘crazy’ to believe he could campaign and play football at the same time.
According to a source, many Jets coaches and players want Aaron to commit to the team and prioritize winning the Super Bowl above the potential to be in the White House.
‘Aaron and Robert aren’t going to win but for Aaron to consider helping run the country over playing for the team has many with the Jets all upset because you have to pick one or the other.
‘Aaron can’t be campaigning through the week and then play the Dolphins the following weekend. It is ridiculous.
‘When Aaron is retired he can do whatever the hell he wants, the Jets aren’t paying him not to play, the team has already had to accept and take on his various controversial beliefs and comments and to add a political career to the situation is exactly the distractions the team wants no part of at all.
‘There is only enough leash they can give and offer Aaron, and they want him to be a teammate and not a running mate.’
It’s not apparent whether Rodgers or Ventura are genuinely considering it.
Both picks are unorthodox, similar to Kennedy’s initial run, and might boost the scion’s independent campaign.
However, choosing Rodgers or Ventura over someone who has recently held political office may demonstrate to voters that Kennedy is not serious about winning.
Ventura served only one term as governor, declining to run for reelection 21 years ago.
Democrats, including members of Kennedy’s famous family, have already criticized his presidential campaign.
Kennedy began his campaign as a Democrat last year before announcing in October that he would run as an independent, which would allow him to avoid competing against President Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries and be on the general election ballot.
Democrats believe Kennedy will play spoiler for Biden, allowing Trump to win a second term.
Polling suggests that Kennedy attracts people from both parties’ candidates – though he would likely do more harm to Biden than Trump, in part because Biden trails the former president in a number of polls.
