New York Jets Acquire Four-Time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers in Groundbreaking Trade with Green Bay Packers
After months of speculation and rumors, the New York Jets have acquired four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. The trade, which was agreed upon on April 24, 2023, marks the end of Rodgers' 18-year run with the Packers.[0] Rodgers had been weighing his options between retiring, remaining in Green Bay, or seeking to play elsewhere during the offseason.[1] However, the Packers made it clear that they were ready to move on, and Rodgers began to carve out an exit strategy from the team.[1]
The Jets and Packers agreed to a deal that brings Rodgers to New York, marking a significant victory for the Jets. The deal mirrors the Packers' trade of Rodgers' Hall of Fame predecessor, Brett Favre, to the Jets in 2008.[1] After a brief stint with the Jets, Favre concluded his career by playing two seasons for the Minnesota Vikings.[1]
Rodgers, who is 39 years old, is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks of his era. He was drafted by the Packers in 2005 while Brett Favre was still the starting quarterback, and he became the starter for the team in 2008 after Favre's first retirement.[2] Rodgers is a Super Bowl Champion, has gone to 10 Pro Bowls, and won four NFL MVP awards while playing in Green Bay.[3] He has thrown for more than 59,000 yards and 475 touchdowns, and the Packers won the NFC North times with Rodgers under center.[3]
The Jets have acquired a contract that guarantees Rodgers a payment of $59.5 million for the 2023 season, but it is anticipated that the contract will be renegotiated.[1] However, the Packers did not have to pick up any of Rodgers' guaranteed $59.5 million, which would have accounted towards the 2023 salary cap in the form of dead cap, further reducing the now-limited cap space that they have.[4] An additional piece of positive information is that after the 2023 season, Rodgers will no longer be under contract in 2024, creating more than $40 million in cap space.[4]
Jordan Love, the 2020 first-round pick who has been a backup for the past three seasons, is likely to be the Packers' next option. However, they will most likely have to recruit one or two more quarterbacks.[5] It was Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst's controversial decision to draft Love that ultimately set the wheels in motion for Rodgers' departure.[5]
Rodgers is coming off one of his worst seasons, with only 3,695 passing yards and 26 touchdown passes.[5] And even if Rodgers had stayed with the Packers, he's possibly a diminished man.[6] It could be argued that his worst season was the last one, during which he only managed to throw for 3,695 yards and 26 touchdowns.[7]
The trade is a significant win for the Jets, who have struggled to find success in recent years. They will now have one of the most accomplished quarterbacks of his era leading their offense, and they will have a chance to build a competitive team around him.
0. “Report: Aaron Rodgers, 2 Draft Picks Traded to Jets; Packers Get No. 13 Pick, More” Bleacher Report, 24 Apr. 2023, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10061096-report-aaron-rodgers-2-draft-picks-traded-to-jets-packers-get-no-13-pick-more
1. “Packers agree to trade Aaron Rodgers to Jets” The Washington Post, 24 Apr. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/04/24/aaron-rodgers/
2. “Aaron Rodgers traded to the New York Jets: ESPN” WISN Milwaukee, 24 Apr. 2023, https://www.wisn.com/article/aaron-rodgers-traded-to-the-new-york-jets/43689567
3. “At long last, Packers trade Aaron Rodgers to Jets” MLive.com, 24 Apr. 2023, https://www.mlive.com/sports/2023/04/at-long-last-packers-trade-aaron-rodgers-to-jets.html
4. “Instant Takeaways: Packers trade QB Aaron Rodgers to Jets” Dairyland Express, 24 Apr. 2023, https://dairylandexpress.com/2023/04/24/instant-takeaways-packers-trade-qb-aaron-rodgers-jets
5. “Sources – Packers trade Aaron Rodgers to Jets for multiple picks” ESPN, 24 Apr. 2023, https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/36282465/sources-packers-trade-aaron-rodgers-jets-multiple-picks
6. “Aaron Rodgers traded to Jets: Ex-Packers QB taking eerily similar path as Brett Favre in journey to New York” CBS Sports, 24 Apr. 2023, https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/aaron-rodgers-traded-to-jets-ex-packers-qb-taking-eerily-similar-path-as-brett-favre-in-journey-to-new-york/
7. “Goodbye and good riddance to Aaron Rodgers” Chicago Sun-Times, 25 Apr. 2023, https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2023/4/24/23696938/goodbye-good-riddance-to-aaron-rodgers-packers-jets-trade-bears-justin-fields-jordan-love
