Aaron Rodgers Set to Join Jets in 2023: What We Know So Far
Aaron Rodgers has made his intentions clear: He wants to play for the New York Jets in 2023.[0] The former Green Bay Packers quarterback announced his decision on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday afternoon, claiming that the Packers are holding out for more or higher draft picks in exchange for his services.
Rodgers is due $59 million guaranteed, but that will count as cap hits of $15.8 million in 2023 and $32.5 million in 2024.[1] According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Green Bay Packers are hoping to acquire two first-round draft picks in exchange for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network has since denied this report.[2] Rodgers also denied the report from ESPN’s Dianna Russini that he handed the Jets a wish list of players to acquire, taking it as an opportunity to rail against the media for attempting to gain information about him.[3]
Green Bay has yet to reach an agreement on a trade with the Jets, opening up the possibility for the Packers to explore a more agreeable deal with another team.[4] Rodgers has yet to officially “ask” the Packers to trade him to the Jets, but he is eager for a fresh start with Gang Green.[5] Rodgers appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” at 1 p.m.[6] ET on Wednesday, and it is possible he will have news on his playing future.[7]
Rodgers, who is a four-time NFL MVP, was drafted by the Packers in 2005 and delivered some of the best quarterback play the NFL has ever seen in the 18 seasons that followed. He started checking out the day the Packers used a #1 pick on his replacement instead of badly needed offensive weapons.[8] He went into the offseason leaning toward retirement, but realized during a meditation retreat that he'd like to keep playing.[9] He is the only four-time NFL MVP, one behind Peyton Manning’s record of five, and his 2011 season, when the Packers went 15-1 and Rodgers set an NFL record with a 122.5 passer rating, is perhaps the greatest single season ever for a quarterback.
Now Rodgers is looking to join a Jets team that sports one of the NFL's best defenses and an intriguing skill-position group, and reunites with former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who now has the same role in New York.[9]
0. “After stringing everyone along, Aaron Rodgers reveals what we already knew: It's all about him” Chicago Sun-Times, 15 Mar. 2023, https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2023/3/15/23642038/after-stringing-everyone-along-aaron-rodgers-reveals-what-we-already-knew-green-bay-packers-jets
1. “The Jets’ Aaron Rodgers pursuit and what still needs to happen to get a deal done” The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2023, https://theathletic.com/4309157/2023/03/14/aaron-rodgers-jets-trade-free-agency-news
2. “Aaron Rodgers: “My intention is to play for the New York Jets”” Acme Packing Company, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2023/3/15/23641717/aaron-rodgers-update-new-york-jets-trade-request-green-bay-packers-free-agency-the-pat-mcafee-show
3. “Aaron Rodgers crushes Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini: ‘Lose my number.’” Awful Announcing, 15 Mar. 2023, https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/aaron-rodgers-crushes-adam-schefter-diana-russini.html
4. “Aaron Rodgers Isn't Retiring, Intends to Play for Jets amid Packers Trade Rumors” Bleacher Report, 15 Mar. 2023, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10068951-aaron-rodgers-isnt-retiring-intends-to-play-for-jets-amid-packers-trade-rumors
5. “Aaron Rodgers on decision: ‘Won't be long'” WISN Milwaukee, 12 Mar. 2023, https://www.wisn.com/article/aaron-rodgers-on-decision-wont-be-long/43282189
6. “Aaron Rodgers will appear on The Pat McAfee Show Wednesday” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2023/03/14/aaron-rodgers-will-appear-on-the-pat-mcafee-show-wednesday-youtube-packers-jets-trade/70009935007
7. “Source – Jets, WR Allen Lazard agree to 4-year, $44M deal” ESPN, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35859488/source-jets-wr-allen-lazard-agree-4-year-44m-deal
8. “Aaron Rodgers: This isn’t a decision day, that’s already happened” NBC Sports, 15 Mar. 2023, https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/15/aaron-rodgers-this-isnt-a-decision-day-thats-already-happened/
9. “Aaron Rodgers says he intends to play for Jets: Former MVP reveals his desire of trade from Packers to N.Y.” CBS Sports, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/aaron-rodgers-says-he-intends-to-play-for-jets-former-mvp-reveals-his-desire-of-trade-from-packers-to-n-y
