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Details are now emerging about the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets trade involving for star quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
It now becomes clear that the deal was far from straightforward and involved a series of intense discussions and compromises between the two sides.
According to a report by Brian Costello of the New York Post, the Packers initially sought a trade compensation akin to the blockbuster deal that sent Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos during the 2021 offseason.
The Broncos gave up an extensive package, which included two first-round picks (one of which was the ninth overall selection), two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, starting tight end Noah Fant, starting defensive end Shelby Harris, and quarterback Drew Lock.
The Packers, inspired by the Wilson trade, set their sights on at least two first-round picks, drawing comparisons to the Detroit Lions’ trade with the Los Angeles Rams for quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2022. The Lions received two first-round picks as part of the deal.
However, the Jets were not willing to part with such a significant package for a 39-year-old quarterback who might only play one season in New York. Consequently, the Packers eventually backed off their demand for two first-round picks but remained insistent on acquiring a first-rounder in the 2024 draft.
Negotiations continued, and the Jets proposed offering a second-round pick in the 2023 draft and a conditional pick in 2024. The conditional pick would transform into a first-round selection only if certain conditions were met. However, the Packers were still reluctant to accept this offer.
The impasse continued until the Monday preceding the 2023 NFL draft when both sides finally reached a compromise. The finalized trade involved two pick swaps in the current year, with the first-round picks being exchanged between the teams (13th and 15th overall). Additionally, the Packers traded a fifth-round pick for a Jets sixth-rounder.
To sweeten the deal, the Jets agreed to modify the conditions of the conditional pick in 2024. Instead of imposing strict requirements, the pick would become a first-rounder if Rodgers played 65 percent of the offensive snaps during the 2023 season—an easier threshold to achieve. Furthermore, the Jets included a 2023 second-round pick in the trade.
The agreement allowed both teams to secure their desired assets while mitigating the risk involved. The Packers managed to receive valuable draft capital to rebuild their roster, while the Jets acquired a future Hall of Fame quarterback to lead their offense for the upcoming season.
The trade sent shockwaves through the league, with fans and analysts eager to see how Rodgers would fare in a new city and with a new supporting cast. As the 2023 NFL season approaches, all eyes will be on Aaron Rodgers as he embarks on a new chapter of his illustrious career with the New York Jets.