It has been a little while getting the deal finalised, but finally, quarterback superstar Aaron Rodgers has made his expected trade to the New York Jets.
Negotiations between the Green Bay Packers and the Jets have been ongoing for a while, but yesterday the two teams announced that they had agreed terms on a deal that will see the four-time NFL MVP trade one famous green uniform for another.
Rodgers had already made his intentions clear earlier in the off-season when he stated on the Pat McAfee Show that he only saw himself playing for the New York Jets next season, as the Packers attempt a rebuild with a new signal-caller.
The 39-year-old felt that he didn’t have time for the Packers to rebuild the team for another tilt at the Super Bowl and the feeling was mutual with the Packers also feeling it was time to let their superstar go and hand the keys to the franchise to incumbent starting QB Jordan Love.
With the details of the trade now finalised the Jets are now rated a 12/1 shot with bet365 Sport to win the Super Bowl, the same odds as the Dallas Cowboys and behind only the Chiefs, 49ers, Bills, Eagles and Bengals in the betting.
What Are The Details Of The Trade?
Both the Jets and Packers have pointed out that the trade isn’t fully finalised yet with some issues still to be addressed, but the main issue of the detail of the trade seems to have been finalised between the two teams.
The trade will be as follows:
The New York Jets will receive:
- Quarterback Aaron Rodgers
- Green Bay Packers 1st Round Pick (Number 15) and Fifth Round Pick (Number 170) in the 2023 NFL Draft.
In return, the Green Bay Packers will receive:
- The New York Jets 1st Round Pick (Number 13), 2nd Round Pick (Number 42) and Sixth Round Pick (Number 207) in the 2023 NFL Draft
- A 2024 Conditional Second Round Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which could become a first round pick if Aaron Rodgers plays 65% or more of the Jets snaps in the 2023/24 season.
While there are still some small details to be worked out regarding the trade, it is now expected that the trade will be confirmed by the NFL just before the start of the NFL Draft on Thursday,
Rodgers Career In Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers has had a long, productive and successful tenure as the Green Bay Packers quarterback, yet it all came from a somewhat disheartening start.
Rated as one of the potential top 5 picks in the 2005 NFL Draft, Rodgers was invited to the Green Room for the draft and watched as all those in the room with him were taken early.
The video of Rodgers sitting alone as name after name was selected before him is now almost as famous as the player himself and his agony was ended only when the Green Bay Packers called his name with the 24th pick of the draft.
Rodgers vowed that the teams that had passed on him would pay for that an in fairness, he was true to his word.
Rodgers career stats in Green Bay make incredible reading:
- Super Bowls Won – 1 (XLV)
- Super Bowl MVP – 1 (XLV)
- NFL MVP – 4 times (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021)
- 10 x Pro Bowl selections.
- 4 x NFL Passing Rating leaders
- 2 x NFL Touchdowns leader
- NFL 2010 All-Decade Team
- NFL Record for Single Season Passer Rating – (122.5 in 2011)
- NFL Record for Lowest Interception Percentage in a season – 0.3% (in 2018)
- NFL Record for Consecutive passes without an interception – 402
- NFL Record for Lowest Career Interception Percentage – 1.4%
- NFL Record for Touchdowns to Interceptions Ratio – 4.52/1
- Passing Attempts – 7,660
- Passing Completions – 5001
- Completion Percentage – 65.3%
- TD to INT – 475 to 105
- Passing Yards – 59,055
- Passer Rating – 103.6
- Rushing Yards – 3,466
- Rushing Touchdowns – 35
And now the New York Jets fans are hoping that he is the missing piece in their quest to become a team ready to challenge for the Super Bowl.
Is Rodgers A Perfect Fit For The Jets?
Judging by the Jets performances last season, their main issue has been at quarterback.
Robert Saleh’s backroom staff have produced a team that has one of the best defenses in the NFL, with stud players like Quinnen Williams, Quincy Williams, Carl Lawson, C.J.Moseley, Jordan Whitehead and Sauce Gardner all catching the eye.
On offence, exciting running back Breece Hall starred before sustaining a season ending injury last season, while the Jets wide receiving corps is also very strong with Allen Lazard joining from Green Bay in the off-season (reportedly at the request of Aaron Rodgers) to complement the first-choice duo of Corey Davis and Garrett Wilson.
Add to that Tyler Conklin and C.J.Uzomah at tight end, and an offensive line that features the massive figure of Mekhi Becton and it was clear that the Jets needed a quarterback alongside a top ranking lineman.
Zach Wilson, their first pick in the 2021 draft when he was taken second overall, has not worked out and with Mike White traded out to Miami in the off-season, it was common knowledge the Jets wanted a QB.
They now have that with Rodgers and with the likelihood of the Jets addressing their offensive line early in the NFL Draft with the likes of Peter Skoronski, Paris Johnson Jr, Broderick Jones, O’Cyrus Torrence, Anton Harrison, Darnell Wright and Dawand Jones believed to be on their radar, the team looks set for a realistic challenge at the Super Bowl this season.
With Rodgers in place and a top ranking lineman (or two) added from the draft, alongside another option at wide receiver and the Jets look stacked ahead of the new season.
Other NFL News Snippets
- The Tennessee Titans have not received any calls about a trade for running back Derrick Henry, according to their GM Ron Carthon.
- Wide receiver Allen Robinson has been traded from the Los Angeles Rams, joining an intriguing young corps of wide receivers at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- The Atlanta Falcons have signed former first round pick cornerback Jeff Okudah in a trade with the Detroit Lions.
- Arguably the best tight end duo in the NFL, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers have both agreed to new long-term contracts with their clubs signing big money extensions.
- The New York Giants have signed defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson from free agency.
