Aaron Rodgers has not been traded from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets. Yet. For those Packers fans that are holding out hope that the future Hall of Famer will somehow find his way back to Lambeau Field this season, there is unfortunate news. Despite weeks of stalled talks, ESPN’s Rich Cimini, who covers the Jets, has some intriguing news. In his latest report about the NFL owners’ meetings, he stated that the Packers and Jets have inched closer to an agreement. Once again, it is not a matter of if Rodgers gets traded; it’s a matter of when.
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By his own admission, Rodgers was “90%” leaning towards retirement when he went on his darkness retreat. This is something he said on The Pat McAfee Show and is now public knowledge. Unfortunately for the Packers, that statement hurt their ability to garner multiple high draft picks for the future Hall of Famer. Understandably, the Jets feel that if they are only getting Rodgers for one season, they should not have to give up a ton of capital.
It seems that the two teams are in agreement on one thing: the Packers will get one second round pick in this year’s draft as part of the compensation. However, both teams have concerns and want to be protected in the event that Rodgers does not play in 2024. Of this sticking point, Cimini writes:
“The Jets and Green Bay Packers inched closer to finalizing the trade for Rodgers, with Packers GM Brian Gutekunst admitting publicly that he’s willing to do a deal that doesn’t include the Jets’ first-round pick (No. 13). The sticking point appears to be on the back end, with both teams looking to be protected based on whether Rodgers plays in 2024.
“My suggestion: The Jets trade a 2023 second-round pick (No. 42) and a 2024 conditional fourth-rounder, which goes to a third if he plays 50% of the snaps, a second if they make the playoffs and a first if they make the Super Bowl. That 2024 pick would follow the same criteria from the Brett Favre trade in 2008. If Rodgers plays only one year, the Jets recoup a 2025 third-round pick.
“It’s hard to find a recent comp. In 1993, the San Francisco 49ers traded Joe Montana for a first-round pick, with a third-rounder and safety David Whitmore going with him to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers raised the Montana deal in early discussions with the Jets, but it’s apples and oranges because of Rodgers’ massive contract. The Jets will be relieving them of that burden, which should be factored into the trade compensation.”
One thing Cimini fails to mention is that Joe Montana had not played for two years at the time he was traded from the 49ers to the Chiefs. It is, indeed, like comparing apples and oranges.
Personally, I do not see much of an issue with offering a 2025 third round pick as compensation in case Rodgers does not play in 2024. Given the recent history of players that the Packers draft in the third round grossly underperforming, Green Bay should not be shy about sending as many of those away as possible.
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