There have been 73 players in NFL history that have played for both the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets. 11 of these players, or 15% of them, joined New York at some point within the last two years. Of course, Aaron Rodgers is the most notable of these names, but he was not the first. As fans may recall, the Jets signed wide receiver Allen Lazard prior to trading for Rodgers in an effort to lure the four-time NFL MVP to New York.
In addition to Lazard and Rodgers, the other nine former Packers that have found their way onto the Jets roster at some point or another are Dennis Kelly (offensive tackle), Jake Hanson (offensive guard), Randall Cobb (wide receiver), Tim Boyle (quarterback), Adrian Amos (safety), Anders Carlson (kicker), and Davante Adams (wide receiver).
The Green Bay Packers Traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets to Make Way for Jordan Love
The decision to trade Rodgers, of course, was made so that Jordan Love could take over as the starting quarterback. In the two full regular seasons since the deal was done, Rodgers’ successor has led Green Bay to the postseason twice. Meanwhile, the Jets have failed to make the NFL Playoffs in both seasons, extending their postseason drought to 14 years.
Love has also out-played Rodgers (albeit the four-time NFL MVP missed virtually all of 2023) since the trade:
| Aaron Rodgers | Jordan Love | |
| Games | 18 | 32 |
| Completion % | 62.9% | 63.7% |
| Passing Yards | 3,897 | 7.548 |
| Touchdowns | 28 | 57 |
| Interceptions | 11 | 22 |
| Passer Rating | 90.4 | 96.3 |
The decision to draft Love in the first place, of course, was a controversial one at the time. It became even more controversial when Rodgers went on to win the next two NFL MVP Awards.
As the last two years have proven, though, Brian Gutekunst knew what he was doing when he drafted Love.
And ironically, the Jets are now looking at the man who pointed the Packers general manager in Love’s direction as a potential general manager of their own.
The New York Jets Are Interviewing Green Bay Packers VP Jon-Eric Sullivan for Their Open General Manager Job
Earlier in the season, the Jets fired their general manager, Joe Douglas, who had orchestrated the trade for Rodgers. As multiple reports have stated, Rodgers is not likely to return to New York next season. In a somewhat ironic twist, the Jets are interviewing Jon-Eric Sullivan, the Packers Vice President of Player Personnel, who first suggested Gutekunst take a look at Love as the next franchise quarterback in Green Bay:
The #Jets are expected to interview #Packers VP of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan, source said. A key lieutenant to Brian Gutekunst, Sullivan has risen up the ranks in Green Bay over the last two decades.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2025
As one might have figured, Packers fans found it quite humorous that New York is looking at the executive who discovered Love to possibly be their next general manager:
The Jets hiring one of Gutekunsts right hand men after spending two years calling Gutekunst one big dummy and reciting lines given to them by Mcafee would just be hilarious https://t.co/0sHW8mxqmK
— Jacob Westendorf (@JacobWestendorf) January 7, 2025
I don’t want to lose him.
But the Jets hiring one of Gutey’s top generals after the Rodgers trade would be hilarious. https://t.co/dCjsVJ6Rlj
— Jacob Morley (@JacobMorley) January 7, 2025
The irony of this…would he allow Woody’s son to conduct the draft on Madden? https://t.co/8G0ybQkupN
— Mike (@DMRees2011) January 7, 2025
Hiring Jon-Eric Sullivan as GM then hiring Mike McCarthy as HC would be genuinely hilarious https://t.co/mU5aM4p9ad
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) January 7, 2025
They’re really leaning into the whole green bay east thing https://t.co/7RfbbFcIHz
— 🐦⬛🎲Matrim Cauthon🐦⬛🎲 (@jman42028) January 7, 2025
The fact of the matter is that Sullivan is certainly going to be an NFL general manager some day. Whether it will be in New York remains to be seen.
More Green Bay Packers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Former Packers QB Fired; Loses HC Job Right Before Start of 2024-25 NFL Playoffs
- “I Promise I Can Play;” Packers Have Former Starter Asking for Another Shot Before Playoff Run
- “This Is Notable;” Eagles Announce Major Roster Update Ahead of Playoff Matchup with Packers
- Former Green Bay Packers WR Signs Futures Deal with the Chicago Bears
- “Someone Familiar;” Packers GM Brian Gutekunst Makes Major Free Agency Statement Before NFL Playoffs
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