It’s about time this deal got finalized. After weeks of total silence, the New York Jets and the Green Bay Packers have come together and worked out a massive, 6-draft pick deal for the 4X MVP and Super Bowl winning QB Aaron Rodgers.
You’d think this deal would have gotten finalized weeks ago, but we are talking about the New York Jets after all.
So, as I said, after weeks of silence, uncertainty, and perhaps subterfuge from other teams (aka: the San Franciso 49ers supposedly being in on Rodgers), the New York Jets have finalized an appropriate trade package to snatch Aaron Rodgers, one of the greatest quarterbacks to have ever graced the game of football, out of the Green Bay Packers and into the AFC to help the team win its first Super Bowl since 1968.
Pretty exciting for Jets fans, right?
Not only have the Jets dramatically improved their offense by picking up Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, and now Aaron Rodgers, but they’ve also given the green side of New York some actual hope of success for upcoming season.
I know Jets fans will know these statistics I’m about to say very well, but for everyone else, the New York Jets have not won a Super Bowl for the last 55 years (the 6th longest active championship drought in North America sports), they’ve not made it back to the Super Bowl in those 55 years, they’ve not made the playoffs in 13 years, they’ve not won their division in 21 years (2002), they’ve only had one 4,000 yard QB (Joe Namath) in 63 years, they’ve won just 4 division titles in 63 years, and the team has made the playoffs just 14 times in 63 years (22% of the time).
I hate to say this (well, no I don’t), but despite being the first AFL team to win the Super Bowl and perhaps owning the greatest upset story in NFL history (the 1968 Super Bowl win), the Jets are synonymous with failure. And that’s why this deal has been made.
Okay, you guys are probably sick of me beating around the bush and want to know what the Jets gave up for Rodgers, right?
Well, without further ado, the New York Jets traded away their 2023 1st round pick (13th overall), their 2023 2nd round pick (42nd overall), their 2023 6th round pick (207th overall), and their 2024 2nd round pick that will turn into a 1st if Rodgers plays 65% of the snaps this season (which is highly likely) for Rodgers (obviously), the Packers 2023 1st round pick (15th overall), and a 2023 5th round pick (170th overall).
Whew, that’s a handful to write down.
To be honest, I’m shocked the Packers were able to squeeze out 2 1st round picks (because Rodgers is playing 65% of the Jets snaps), a 2nd round pick, and a 5th round pick for a quarterback that not only had a “regression” (by Rodgers lofty standards) last year, but also openly admitted to wanting out of Green Bay.
Normally, in these kinds of situations, the Packers would be lucky to get a 3rd round pick, let alone the haul they brought in, as the rest of the NFL would lowball them for an aging player who was on the verge of retirement. I mean, the Packers only got a 3rd round pick from the Jets when they traded Brett Favre, who was also 39 but coming off a great statistical season, to promote Rodgers to the starting QB roll.
Isn’t it funny how history repeats itself.
Anyways, it’s pretty obvious the Packers are retooling and probably (unless Jordan Love is the next Aaron Rodgers/Brett Favre) won’t be in any playoff contention for the next 2-3 years, so this deal is phenomenal for them.
As for the Jets, they may have overpaid for Rodgers (giving up two 1st round picks, one 2nd round pick, and one 5th round pick is a lot), but it won’t matter if they win a Super Bowl.
The AFC is utterly stacked with the Buffalo Bill, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots (who are all within the AFC East with the Jets), Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, LA Chargers, and the Denver Broncos will all be looking to grab one of the 7 playoffs spots up for grabs.
If you include the Jets, that’s 13 teams going for just 7 spots. Yeah, the math doesn’t work too well on this one.
But, if anyone has the skillset to bring a Super Bowl back to the green half of the Big Apple, it’s Aaron Rodgers.
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