Veteran quarterback, and NFL legend, Aaron Rodgers will officially be the new franchise quarterback for the Jets.
After a series of back-and-forths, speculation, and negotiations since the close of the 2022 season (and about 40 days since Aaron Rodgers announced his wish to leave the Packers on the Pat McAfee Show), the two teams have reached an agreement that involves complex maneuvering. The Packers are trading Rodgers, along with their number 15 first-round pick, and a number 170 fifth-round pick; and in return, the Jets are trading their sixth-round pick and a conditional 2024 second-round pick that becomes a first-round pick if Rodgers plays 65% of the plays this season.
Even with this positive news, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst was still conservative making statements about the trade, as Rodgers must still pass a physical.
New York Jets fans seem quite optimistic. Although, the 2022 season for Aaron Rodgers was fraught with media turmoil and poor stats, most agree that the primary issue was not the 39-year-old’s performance, but rather his depleted O-line full of poor performers and rookies.
Meanwhile, the Jets franchise hasn’t made it to a playoff game since 2010; and hasn’t been in the super bowl since 1969. Considering the stats of the New York Jets last season (despite a depleted quarterback room), many believe that the veteran quarterback is the key to a change in fortune.
Amid the fanfare at the newly inked deal, a tweet resurfaced from current Jets QB Zach Wilson, vowing to give Aaron Rodgers “hell” every day at practice if he was traded to the Jets. Rodgers liked the tweet, which seems to indicate that the tweet is being well received as a call to a high standard of competition for the starting position between the two.
The trade also bodes well for Packers QB Jordan Love, who will most likely move to the starting position; and receive the time and attention he needs without living in the shadow of Rodgers.
