The New York Jets have made a historic trade for Aaron Rodgers, the four-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion. The Jets acquired Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for multiple draft picks, including their first- and second-round selections in 2023.
Rodgers, who has thrown for 475 touchdown passes and 59,055 passing yards in his 18-year career, is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history. He led the Packers to a Super Bowl victory in 2011 and was named MVP three times in the last decade.
However, Rodgers had grown unhappy with the Packers’ management and expressed his desire to play for the Jets in March. He also faced criticism for his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID and his outspokenness about his coaches and teammates.
The Jets hope that Rodgers can help them end their playoff drought, which dates back to 2010. The Jets have had seven consecutive losing seasons and have struggled to find a franchise quarterback. They drafted Zach Wilson with the second overall pick in 2021, but he failed to impress in his rookie season.
The trade for Rodgers is a bold move by Jets general manager Joe Douglas, who believes that Rodgers can elevate the team’s offense and mentor Wilson. The Jets also have a young and talented defense, led by head coach Robert Saleh, who was hired in January.
The trade for Rodgers is expected to become official on Wednesday, when the new league year begins. Rodgers will count for $15.8 million in cap space with $59 million in actual money under his existing contract with the Packers. The Packers will move on with Jordan Love, their first-round pick in 2020, as their new starting quarterback.
