Getty Image / Stacy Revere
For weeks now, there has been only one team on the radar for a trade involving Aaron Rodgers.
Despite the fact that Rodgers has publicly stated that he wants to play for the New York Jets next season, the Jets and Green Bay Packers have yet to be able to come to terms on a deal.
There had been reports that the Packers were looking for a pair of first rounders to make the trade happened and some believed that was what holding things up.
It turns out the issue may actually be that there is one thing in particular the Jets aren’t interested in giving up to land Rodgers.
According to Jets reporter Rich Cimini, the team doesn’t want to give up the 13th pick in this year’s draft as part of the trade.
#Jets insider: In the “sweet spot” at 13 — and they don’t want to trade it to GB … Oddity of the Moore trade … Shades of 2010 … Hardman’s potential impact … more . https://t.co/srCSO5wKcr
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) March 26, 2023
Cimini says the success of players recently drafted in that slot, especially on the offensive and defensive lines, is the reason the Jets want to hold onto the pick while trading for Rodgers.
In the last 10 drafts, the 13th pick has produced as many Pro Bowl players (eight) as the No. 1 pick, according to data from Pro Football Reference. No other slot in the first round has that many. Those eight players at 13 have combined for 21 Pro Bowl seasons and eight All-Pro selections, compared to 17 and two at No. 1, respectively.
Traditionally, the 13th spot is a jackpot for offensive and defensive linemen, which happen to be the Jets’ top two needs. Consider some of the recent 13s: Rashawn Slater (2021), Tristan Wirfs (2020), Daron Payne (2018), pass-rusher Haason Reddick (2017), Laremy Tunsil (2016) and Aaron Donald (2014).
Getting the Packers to take a future 1st rounder instead of this year’s in a deal for Aaron Rodgers would be a pretty big win for the Jets.
The Jets have a chance to add another impact player with that pick this season whereas they’d be expected to be drafting much later a year from now.
Making sure their quarterback issues are taken care of is definitely the bigger priority here and the New York Jets don’t have many options left aside from Rodgers, but this would be a pretty successful offseason for them if they make the Rodgers deal happen and add a top 15 talent in this year’s draft.