New York — It took seemingly forever, but it’s over now.
After weeks of showdowns on both sides, the Jets and Green Bay Packers completed a trade on Monday that sent four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to New York.
ESPN first reported that the Jets would receive Rodgers, the 15th overall pick and a fifth-round pick in 2023. The Packers are this year’s No. 13 overall pick, a second-round pick and a sixth-round pick, and if Rodgers plays 65% of the plays this coming season, a conditional second-round pick in 2024 will become a first-rounder.
Jets legend Joe Namath has his number retired. Rodgers has been blessed to wear the No. 12 jersey, but it is believed that Rodgers will wear the No. 8 he wore in college at California.
The Jets now have a future Hall-of-Famer at quarterback and their fans are already talking about the Super Bowl.
The team and their supporters have been waiting on pins and needles for the past few weeks.
Jets brass He flew to Malibu several weeks ago for a recruiting visit with RodgersAnd despite what they say about playing in New York, Rodgers announced on March 15 on “The Pat McAfee Show” on YouTube that he will play for the Jets in 2023.
The Jets and Packers trade took longer than many expected, but it paid off on Monday.
Rodgers, 39, played his entire 18-year career in Green Bay, throwing 475 touchdowns and just 105 interceptions, completing more than 5,000 for more than 59,000 career passing yards. To put this into perspective, Rodgers has 10 seasons of 4,000 passing yards or more. One of the jets was: Namath in 1967.
Although 2022 was considered a down year by his lofty standards, Rodgers threw for 3,695 yards, 26 TDs and 12 interceptions with a 91.1 rating.
The Jets have had just one quarterback throw in the past eight seasons — Ryan Fitzpatrick’s 3,905 in 2015 — and just three total since 1985.
The trade is reminiscent of the Jets’ acquisition of another Packers legend — Brett Favre — in 2008. Favre played one season for the Jets, but after an 8-3 start he was injured and they missed the playoffs.
Jets fans are obviously hoping for a very different outcome this time around.
Read more: Aaron Rodgers says his intention is to play for the Jets
Rodgers led the Packers to a Super Bowl championship in the 2010 season. He never got them back to the big game again, but they did make it to the NFC Championship Game four more times.
The Jets finished 7-10 in 2022 and have missed the playoffs for 12 years, the NFL’s longest current losing streak, due to poor quarterback play. However, New York is known around the NFL for having an impressive defense and several talented players, making a trade for a player of Rodgers’ caliber all the more necessary.
Rodgers signed a three-year contract in March 2022 worth just over $150 million. He is owed a fully guaranteed $59.5 million in 2023, but all but $1.2 million comes in the form of a signing bonus that will be paid before kickoff. regular season.
As for the salary cap, the Rodgers deal won’t put a huge strain on the Jets because bonus money counts. He figures to be just $15.8 million against the cap in 2023 and $32.5 million in 2024.
The Jets clearly make Rodgers their top priority this offseason. Although they met with free agent quarterback Derek Carr, they reportedly did not offer him an offer. Carr later agreed to sign a four-year, $150 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, and the Jets shifted their pursuit of Rodgers into high gear.
Acquiring Rodgers means Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, will be benched for the time being. Wilson has two years remaining on his four-year, $35 million contract. The Jets have repeatedly said their goal is to land Wilson as a legitimate starter, something that has failed to happen in his first two seasons.
To say Rodgers knows new Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s system is an understatement. The two worked together in Green Bay from 2019-2021, during which time Rodgers threw for 12,416 yards, 111 TDs and just 13 interceptions, winning his two MVP awards.
“There are a lot of reasons why the Jets are attractive,” Rodgers said during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “But there’s one coach that’s been as good as any coach I’ve ever had. He’s the coordinator there.”
Read more: Aaron Rodgers will give the Jets the potential for better or worse
In anticipation of landing Rodgers, the Jets went out and beefed up their offense, signing free agent wide receivers. Alan Lazard and Mecole Hartman. They already have breakout star wide receiver Garrett Wilson — 83 receptions and 1,103 yards in 2022 — and young running backs Brees Hall and tight ends Tyler Conklin and CJ Uzoma.
Due to numerous injuries, the Jets were a major concern heading into the offseason. However, earlier this season, it was reported that five-time Pro Bowler Duane Brown would return for his 17th season despite a shoulder injury that required surgery last season.
New York will benefit from the return of versatile tackle/guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, who missed most of last season with a triceps tear. Another projected starter is senior guard Laeken Tomlinson and the Jets expect oft-injured but very talented tackle McGee Becton to be ready to go in training camp.
Additionally, the Jets will have players in the draft for offensive line help.
All of this should be encouraging news for Rodgers, who has benefited from great defense throughout his career.
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