The Green Bay Packers will be trading Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets this off-season. It seems like it is just a matter of “when” not “if.” The right compensation has been the key factor in getting the trade done. Some reports have been laughable, to say the least, in regard to what the Jets’ trade demands are. Rodgers declared his intentions to play for the Jets back in mid-March. While it is still presumed that the Jets will land the four-time MVP, multiple other teams have officially reached out. That being said, the Green Bay Packers just won big in one key aspect of the trade.
Green Bay Packers Won’t Have To Restructure Aaron Rodgers’ Contract To Get Trade Done
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed on SportsCenter that a deal is not contingent on the 39-year-old quarterback renegotiating his current contract:
“I’ve asked around on if [Rodgers] would need a long-term deal, would he need it reworked?” Fowler asked. “I don’t get that sense right now that would be a requirement for a trade. So really, the Jets would be inheriting that money, and they can figure that all out as they go.”
As we sit today, the Green Bay Packers would currently take on a $40 million dead cap hit if Rodgers is traded before June 1st. The likelihood of Aaron Rodgers being traded before that date is very high. It could even get done this week as the 2023 NFL Draft approaches. A restructure or “tweak” of his contract before a trade could result in an even more difficult financial situation in Green Bay. If the Jets aren’t requiring the Packers to re-work Rodgers’ deal, then that’s a major win for Brian Gutekunst and the Packers’ long-term cap situation. According to Peter Schrager, a senior Writer for Fox Sports on his podcast, recorded on April 11, the Jets don’t want to:
- Give up #13 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft
- Give up both 2023 2nd round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft
- Give up an unprotected 2024 1st round draft pick
This is the full quote from Schrager on his podcast:
“I was told from people not in either building that the Jets were looking to make a trade where it would not involve the first-round pick, it would not involve both of the second-round picks, and it would involve a future first that was conditional.”
If the Jets are going to offer such little compensation for a four-time MVP quarterback, they could be willing to take on more of Aaron Rodgers’ contract than previously thought. While draft compensation (or even players) would be a big win for the Packers, having some flexibility in the salary cap could open the door to bring in veteran free agents or even pursue another trade. In fact, one veteran wide receiver’s trade price just took a massive dip.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @mcquadewarnold, follow us @WiSportsHeroics, and listen to our Podcast, The Cheese Dads NOW with Legendary DT Gilbert Brown! You can also reach out to McQuade Arnold via email at mcquadewarnold@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here!
