Jets To Sign QB Tim Boyle

Another former Packer is joining the Jets. Ex-Aaron Rodgers backup Tim Boyle agreed to terms with the team Thursday, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. It is a one-year deal.

The Jets remain expected to acquire Rodgers from the Packers, but terms have not yet been finalized. Boyle will rejoin Allen Lazard and ex-Green Bay OC Nathaniel Hackett in New York. Boyle, who backed up Rodgers for three seasons (2018-20), spent last year with the Lions and Bears.

How this addition will affect Zach Wilson may be its most important component. The Jets considered re-signing Mike White, but the popular veteran opted for a two-year Dolphins deal. White had overtaken Wilson last season, and the Jets have planned for a reset year for the former No. 2 overall pick. Boyle’s presence will help on that front, considering his experience under Hackett. Boyle joined the Packers during Mike McCarthy‘s final year but played two seasons under the Hackett-Matt LaFleur duo.

Boyle, 28, also presents an option for the Jets during their offseason program. These slow-moving trade talks have transpired for weeks. Boyle never made a start as a Packer, but the former UDFA would give the Jets an option to run Hackett’s offense during OTAs and potentially minicamp. Rodgers skipped the past two Packers OTA sessions, and it is not a lock he will be with the Jets for that portion of the offseason calendar anyway. As Wilson learns Hackett’s scheme, Boyle will be there to aid the Jets.

The Packers’ 2020 Jordan Love pick led them to non-tender Boyle as an RFA in 2021. As Love continued his extended apprenticeship, the Lions signed Boyle. Boyle’s only three starts came as a Lion — for a struggling 2021 Detroit edition. Boyle completed 65% of his passes, at just 5.6 yards a clip, for the Lions that year and threw six interceptions (compared to three touchdown passes) in three losing efforts. The Lions moved Boyle to their practice squad last year, and the Bears poached him in November. Boyle, whose lone season of full-on starter work came at Eastern Kentucky in 2017, enjoyed a brief Bears in-game cameo but played behind Justin Fields and Trevor Siemian.

Gang Green also rosters Chris Streveler, which does not lock in Boyle to a roster spot. But Boyle’s experience in Hackett’s system probably gives him a leg up ahead of what would be his sixth NFL season.

View Comments (15)