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On May 10, ESPN published an in-depth piece about Aaron Rodgers’ blockbuster trade to the New York Jets that included insightful tidbits such as the revelation that The Office is the 39-year-old’s favorite TV show.
Elsewhere in the report, however, is a detail about Jets owner Woody Johnson refusing to give the Packers next year’s 2024 first-round pick due to comments that Rodgers made about being “90% retired” prior to his darkness retreat.
The Jets, however, were concerned about Rodgers potentially playing only one season before retiring and didn’t want to give up an unconditional first in 2024. Woody Johnson felt strongly about that, a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations said, especially after hearing Rodgers tell McAfee he was “90% retired before his darkness retreat.”
Ultimately, the trade for Rodgers was broken down as follows:
The New York Jets received Aaron Rodgers, the #15 overall pick, and a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft, which was held in Kansas City in late April. With the 15th pick, the Jets selected edge rusher Will McDonald in a move head coach Robert Saleh claims they would have made at #13, anyway.
In exchange for the Hall of Fame signal-caller, the Green Bay Packers — who will be turning to Jordan Love at the quarterback position next season — received the #12 overall pick, a second-round pick, and a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft, and a conditional second-round pick in the 2023 draft that will become a first-round pick if Rodgers plays 65% of the snaps for the Jets this season.
Ultimately, if Rodgers is able to lead the Jets to an AFC Championship game, let alone a Super Bowl appearance and/or win, then the price New York paid for him will be worth it as the team is the current owner of the longest playoff drought in the NFL, as they haven’t competed in the postseason since 2010.