Source: Green Bay Packers / NFL
Apr 26, 2023, 1:18 PM CST
Share
NEW YORK (Civic Media) – A trade agreed upon two days ago involving a future Hall of Fame quarterback has now been finalized.
The NFL, Green Bay Packers and New York Jets announced that the trade sending Aaron Rodgers to the Jets for NFL Draft selections is official Wednesday afternoon.
In return for Rodgers, the Packers will swap first-round picks with the Jets, moving from #15 to #13 overall, as well as pick up a second-round choice this year and a conditional pick in 2024. Green Bay will also trade its fifth-round pick for New York’s sixth-round pick this year as part of the trade. The conditional pick in 2024 is a second-round selection that becomes a first-round choice if Rodgers plays in 65% of the Jets’ snaps on offense next year.
The move comes a little over a month after Rodgers told Pat McAfee during an interview that he expected to be playing for the Jets this season after considering retirement earlier this offseason. Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, is in the top 10 of many passing categories all-time in NFL history, including passing yards (9th), completions (8th), and touchdowns (6th).
“Aaron had an incredible career with the Packers,” Mark Murphy, Packers President/CEO, said. “”We wish Aaron well in New York.”
“We are eternally grateful for all that Aaron gave the Packers the last 18 years,” Brian Gutekunst, Packers General Manager, said. “We wish Aaron nothing but success.”
Both Murphy and Gutekunst said that they looked forward to welcoming Rodgers back to Green Bay to retire his number and add him to the team’s Hall of Fame, as well as to celebrate his future induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Matt LaFleur, Packers Head Coach, said that Rodgers is the greatest player he’s ever worked with.
“His drive for competitive greatness and the standards he set for everyone, including himself, made our team better,” LaFleur said. ““I will always be grateful for our time together, both on and off the field.”
Rodgers, who has played with Green Bay his entire career since being drafted in 2005, follows the footsteps of former Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, who forced his way out of town and was also traded to the Jets.
Rodgers will wear #8 for the New York Jets, his jersey number at Cal, as #12 is retired by the Jets for Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath.
Jordan Love, who the Packers drafted in 2021, is widely expected to take over the starting role for the Packers. Love has started one game in 10 appearances in two seasons as a Packer.
Green Bay will pick at #13 overall in this week’s NFL Draft.
