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It’s now been exactly 365 days since the New York Jets traded for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and in that time, the 40-year-old future Hall of Famer has made hundreds of headlines, dozens of appearances on The Pat McAfee Show, and completed exactly zero passes.
Despite the fact that Rodgers has yet to complete a drive for Gang Green and he’s cost them a second-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, Jets general manager Joe Douglas expressed absolutely zero regrets over the deal when asked by ESPN.
“We don’t have a second-round pick this year, and if I had the choice of having the second-round pick and not having Aaron, I would take Aaron 15 times out of 10,” general manager Joe Douglas said.
“Obviously, the injury was devastating, but we’re so excited to have him as part of this franchise. Just the leadership he brings. I’ve talked about it — you probably get sick of me saying it — but him connecting with his teammates, his presence in the building, he’s a great guy.”
The Jets are hoping that the cost of Rodgers will pay for itself if he’s able to lead the team to its first postseason appearance in 2010, which gives Gang Green the longest-running playoff drought in American professional sports.
Despite the acquisition of Rodgers and the resources invested into giving him the most talented team possible, the Jets are not only underdogs to win the AFC East but are third-favorites behind the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.
While the Jets have no second-round pick this year due to the Rodgers trade, they do have the #10 overall pick in the first round, which they’re expected to use on either an offensive lineman, a wide receiver, or Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.
The 2024 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 25 with Round 1 followed by Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday and Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday.