The Green Bay Packers traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets this offseason. After weeks of speculation, Rodgers stated on The Pat McAfee show that he wanted to play for the Jets. The teams went back and forth on proposed deals until finally settling on a trade at the end of April.
This was the second time the Packers have sent a Super Bowl-winning quarterback to the Jets. In 2008, Brett Favre was sent to New York for a draft pick. Favre led the Jets to a 9-7 record but missed the playoffs.
Here’s a deeper look at why the trade happened and what the impact is for both franchises.
Aaron Rodgers Trade Details
The Jets received:
- QB Aaron Rodgers
- 2023 first-round pick
- 2023 fifth-round pick
The Packers received:
- 2023 first-round pick
- 2023 second-round pick
- 2023 sixth-round pick
- 2024 conditional second-round pick
Rodgers is scheduled to make his preseason debut tonight against the Giants. It will be his first preseason game since 2018, and he hasn’t played the preseason finale since 2012. Jets head coach Robert Saleh said it is a “calculated risk” to play Rodgers.
The acquisition of Rodgers immediately changed the expectations for the Jets’ season. The team’s odds of winning the Super Bowl greatly shortened as it appeared likely that Rodgers would head to New York.
Rodgers is reunited with his former Packers offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett. He threw 111 touchdowns and won two MVP awards with Hackett guiding Green Bay’s offense from 2019-2021.
Rodgers’ presence led to the Jets being covered on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this preseason. His impact on the quarterback room was evident on the show.
.@NYJets QBs trying to guess @AaronRodgers12's play fakes 😂#HardKnocks now available on @StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/KOUZEwEQO1
— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2023
Two of Rodgers’ Packers teammates, Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard, signed with the Jets as free agents. The duo has combined to catch 14% (67 TDs) of Rodgers’ 475 career TD passes. On Hard Knocks, Cobb shared some insight with Jets wide receivers about playing with Rodgers.
"If he don't trust you, he not gonna throw you the ball."
Veteran WR Randall Cobb showing veteran leadership 🦾#HardKnocks on @streamonmax pic.twitter.com/eQyaYZF2jq
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) August 23, 2023
Who Did the Teams Select With the Draft Picks?
With the pick acquired, the Packers drafted Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness (13th overall), Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave (second round), and Auburn kicker Anders Carlson (sixth round).
Van Ness is expected to be a backup entering the season. Musgrave is making an impression working with Jordan Love in training camp. Carlson is expected to be the replacement for longtime Packers kicker Mason Crosby in Week 1.
The Jets drafted Iowa State defensive lineman Will McDonald IV with the 15th overall pick. McDonald has received praise from the Jets coaching staff for his play in the preseason. The team traded the fifth-round pick to the Raiders and received two later picks.
With the picks, the Jets drafted LSU cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse in the sixth round and Old Dominion TE Zack Kuntz in the seventh round. Both players are still with the team heading into the final week of preseason.
Why Did the Packers Trade Rodgers?
The four-time MVP considered retiring after the 2021 season but returned and signed a three-year, $150 million extension last March. Rodgers said he “definitely” wanted to end his career with the Packers before last season.
However, after an 8-9 season, the relationship between Rodgers and the team’s front office seemed to break down in the offseason. Rodgers, who took a darkness retreat in February, said he was unable to speak with the Packers front office directly.
General manager Brian Gutekunst said the team tried to reach out to him “many times” during the offseason but never heard from Rodgers.
Who Is Replacing Rodgers at Quarterback for the Packers?
Love has the task of replacing Rodgers as the Packers’ QB1. Love was drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Utah State. In 10 games with Green Bay, he has thrown three touchdowns and three interceptions. The Packers lost his only start in 2021 at Kansas City.
Love recently shared his thoughts on playing behind Rodgers.
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“Always there for me if I need anything or had any questions. I was just grateful to be around him and for the time I had with him.”
Love completed 12 of 18 passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Packers’ first two preseason games.