Rodgers Packs It In Joins Jets
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
It’s official! Aaron Rodgers is now a member of the New York Jets. Last month Rodgers announced that after 18 years with Green Bay Packers, he wanted to be traded and the team of his choice was the New York Jets. Both teams were at an impasse in terms of the compensation to make the deal happen. Monday afternoon, both sides came to an agreement bringing the 4-time MVP quarterback to MetLife Stadium.
In finalizing the deal, the Jets gave up their first-round draft pick (No. 13), a 2023 second-round draft pick (No. 42), a 2023 sixth-round draft pick (#207) and a conditional second-round draft pick that would become a first round if Rodgers play 65% of the plays this season. Green Bay gave up their first-round draft pick (#15) and a 2023 fifth-round draft pick (#170).
Both teams wanted to get the deal done before the draft which takes place Thursday in Kansas City. Said Packers general manager of the importance of completing the deal before the draft, “it wouldn’t have been the end of the world, but at the same time, l think it would have certainly changed things quite a bit. So, getting it done was important.”
Bringing Rodgers to Gang Green raises the expectations for the organization and is a major upgrade at the quarterback position. The last two quarterbacks drafted by the Jets, Sam Darnold drafted #3 in 2018 and Zach Wilson drafted #2 in 2021 battled injuries that kept them off the field more than on it. The jets were the talk of the NFL town when they started the season with a 6-3 record. Then, the wheels fell off the wagon as they lost 7 of their last 8 games and the last 6 in a row. Wilson will no back-up Rodgers with the hopes of learning the position with him taking over when Rodgers retires.
Aaron Rodgers now comes to the powerful AFC East Division joining the Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. Not to Mention Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes along with the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson should he decide to return.
