Over a month after Aaron Rodgers made it abundantly clear on the Pat McAfee show that he wanted to be a member of the New York Jets in 2023, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback has finally gotten his wish.
The compensation has been completed and 15 years after trading for Rodgers’ predecessor, the Jets pulled off another blockbuster, this time by acquiring the four-time NFL MVP on Monday — as first reported by Adm Schefter of ESPN.
The trade sends the 13th overall selection to Green Bay, as well as the 42nd overall pick, and a sixth-round pick for the four-time NFL MVP. In return, the Jets receive the 15th overall selection and a fifth-round pick along with Rodgers.
As part of the deal, a conditional second-round pick also goes to Green Bay in 2024 that could become a first if Rodgers plays 65% of the Jets snaps in 2023.
New York had consistently confirmed that they would be in the market for a top veteran signal-caller to help end a decade-long playoff drought. Last month, a Jets contingent led by owner Woody Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas, and head coach Robert Saleh met with Rodgers in California to persuade the Super Bowl MVP into joining one of the youngest rosters in football.
There are still some financial hurdles that need to be resolved before Rodgers dons a Jets jersey like his predecessor did 15 years ago. The quarterback is owed $59 million this season alone but has been open to adjusting his contract to lower the incoming cap hit.
Details of a financial agreement have not been made at this time.
The Jets aren’t a team with mediocre talent — and Rodgers isn’t a mediocre quarterback. In what was considered a down year in 2022, he posted 26 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions with over 3,600 yards. Entering his 19th NFL season, Rodgers is 25 touchdown passes away from being the fifth quarterback to throw for over 500 touchdown passes in his career — a mark that could be met with Gang Green.
Rodgers, 39, had entered a “darkness retreat” after Super Bowl LVII in February where he contemplated retiring from the game of football. As early as Wednesday afternoon though, Rodgers went on the Pat McAfee show saying that “My intention was to play and my intention was to play for the New York Jets.”
Although Rodgers turns away from 18 year-career with the Packers, he joins a Jets team that is expected to take a major leap from their 7-10 season in 2022. With a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback at their disposal, anything less than a Super Bowl title won’t due for the Jets.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information is provided.
