On April 24, 2023, the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets agreed once again on a blockbuster trade involving a quarterback. The Packers traded Aaron Rodgers away for a significant draft package from the Jets.
After a rocky few years off the field, the Packers decided it was time for the Jordan Love era to begin.
Aaron Rodgers Trade Details
Let’s take a look at what the Packers received from the Jets in exchange for Rodgers.
The Packers received:
- 2023 first-round pick (DE Lukas Van Ness)
- 2023 second-round pick (TE Luke Musgrave)
- 2023 sixth-round pick (K Anders Carlson)
- 2024 conditional second-round pick that becomes a 2024 first-round pick if Rodgers plays 60% of the snaps this season.
The Jets received:
- QB Aaron Rodgers
- 2023 first-round pick (DE Will McDonald IV)
- 2023 fifth-round pick (Traded down for sixth and seventh-round selections in 2023; CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse and TE Zack Kuntz)
Why Did Green Bay Trade Rodgers?
In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Packers traded up to select Love, sparking the beginning of the end of Rodgers’ time in Green Bay. However, the Packers’ long-term plan was slightly derailed by Rodgers winning back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021.
MORE: Why Aaron Rodgers’ Injury Could Save Jets a 2024 First-Round Pick
After contemplating his retirement following the end of the 2021 season, Rodgers returned to Green Bay for the 2022 campaign on a new extension. However, just a year after signing the extension, Rodgers made his thoughts known that he wanted to play elsewhere to finish his career.
On The Pat McAfee Show in March, Rodgers outright stated that he wanted to play for the Jets in 2023.
Here’s Aaron Rodgers telling Pat McAfee that he intends to be a member of the New York Jets in 2023👇#NFLTwitter #TakeFlight #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/86SZAUWoqT
— Bookmakers Review (@BMRReviews) March 15, 2023
This trade marks the end of an era for the Packers. Rodgers was a four-time MVP for the team and led them to their last Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011. The Packers are now handing the reigns over to Love, who spent the previous three seasons learning under Rodgers.
For the Jets, this trade has the organization hopeful they finally found their answer at quarterback — one that can take the team to their first Super Bowl appearance since Joe Namath in 1969.
After a disastrous start to the career of their No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Zach Wilson, the Jets were desperate to find an answer to the most important position in football to take advantage of their talented roster.
MORE: 2023 NFL QB Power Rankings
Now, the Jets realize that their Super Bowl window has never been more open and are hoping to capitalize on that while they can.