Former Jets QB guarantees Aaron Rodgers won't wear No. 12 with New York

Former New York Jets quarterback and current "The NFL Today" analyst Boomer Esiason believes Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers won't wear his No. 12 jersey with Gang Green. 

Jets legend Joe Namath generated headlines when he said in January that he'd let the organization un-retire his famous No. 12 so that Rodgers could continue wearing the only number he's rocked throughout his NFL career that began during the 2005 NFL Draft. 

"I can guarantee you he's not wearing No. 12," Esiason said about Rodgers during Monday's edition of his morning show that airs on New York radio station WFAN, per Lou DiPietro of Audacy. "He's not a dummy. He's one of the smartest guys who has ever played, and understands history and who Joe Namath is and why that number is so important." 

Esiason compared Rodgers' future decision to how Hall of Famer Joe Montana changed numbers when he moved from the San Francisco 49ers to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1990s. According to an archived UPI story, Montana called Chiefs legend Len Dawson at that time to say "he felt No. 16 in Kansas City should always be associated with Dawson." Montana ultimately went from No. 16 to No. 19. 

Rodgers confirmed during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on March 15 that he intends to play for the Jets during the 2023 season. As shared by Mike Gavin of NBC Sports Chicago, the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player danced around the topic when he was asked about possibly wearing his and Namath's No. 12 with the Jets. 

"With respect to the emotions, I think they'll be time for all those conversations down the road," Rodgers said. "Today was about talking about the past and the love I have for the team and then giving an update on what's going on today. So, that's a great question. I've seen what Joe said. There will be time to talk about that down the road." 

For what it's worth, Gavin also predicted that Rodgers will choose "a new number out of respect for 'Broadway Joe.'" 

Esiason has been all over the Rodgers-New York links since the winter months and has ties to the Jets. Assuming the two teams work out a trade as soon as later this week, it sounds like Rodgers will pick a new digit he'll wear during home games held at MetLife Stadium. 

"Aaron is either going to wear No. 8, which he wore in college — although he’d have to buy that off of (Jets wide receiver) Elijah Moore, assuming he’s still here," Esiason continued. "Or he’ll go with No. 10, which is available because Braxton Berrios got cut. So it's either 8 or 10, but it won’t be No. 12; that'd be like someone wearing 12 in Packers history after he’s gone."