Days before the 2023 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets agreed on the massive trade that sent Aaron Rodgers out east. The Packers sent their 2023 first-round pick (No. 15) and a 2023 fifth-round pick (No. 170) to the Jets for New York’s 2023 first-round pick (No. 13), a 2023 second-round pick (No. 42), a 2023 sixth-round pick (No. 207) and a conditional 2024 second-round pick that becomes a first if Rodgers plays 65% of the plays this season. However, nearly four months later the trade is getting a massive update.
Aaron Rodgers Trade Gets Massive Update That Is Only Good News For The Green Bay Packers
Due to the nature of the trade, the New York Jets’ 2024 first AND second round draft picks are currently tied up. As we sit in August 2023, we don’t know if the Jets will be sending their first or second round draft pick to the Packers in 2024. Because of this, the Jets cannot use either one of those two picks in future trade scenarios… unless they renegotiate the trade.
Justis Mosqueda with Acme Packing Co. highlighted this exact scenario, and how it would only be a win for the Packers:
Last week, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers adjusted his contract with the New York Jets. Ultimately, Rodgers left about $35 million over two years on the table when compared to the deal that he signed with the Packers in 2022.
Since then, Rodgers has told NBC Sports’ Peter King that a factor in signing that cheaper deal was that he wanted the Jets to be aggressive at the trade deadline.
Here’s the catch, though: Due to the nature of the conditions of Rodgers’ trade, the Jets — at least as it stands today — will be unable to use EITHER their first- or second-round draft picks in 2024 at the 2023 trade deadline. Per the terms of the Rodgers trade, Green Bay will receive the Jets’ 2024 first-round pick if Rodgers plays 65 percent of New York’s overall offensive snaps. If that mark isn’t met, the Packers will get the Jets’ second-rounder.
Because that 65 percent mark cannot be calculated until the end of the regular season, the Jets do not have the freedom to use either draft pick at the trade deadline without first coming to a new agreement with the Packers. This was confirmed to me by league sources, who said that a similar issue over conditional draft picks was a factor at the trade deadline last year for at least one proposed trade elsewhere in the NFL.
What Does This Mean For the New York Jets If They Want To Renegotiate With The Green Bay Packers?
The ball is completely in the Packers’ court. They already own the rights to (at least) the Jets’ 2024 second round draft pick. If the Jets want to use EITHER their first or second round draft pick at the trade deadline to go get another players, they’ll first have to come to an agreement with the Packers.
This means the Jets would likely have to offer something lucrative to the Packers to make it worth their while. If the Jets want to just guarantee the first round draft pick, the Packers may be interested, however, if the Packers feel the Jets will get significantly better due to a pending trade with another team they may be hesitant to agree.
For example, if the Jets want to use their 2024 second round draft pick to bring in a player that will drastically help their team, that would hurt whatever draft pick the Packers end up using (from the Jets) in 2024 because the Jets would (likely) have a better record.
This is where negotiations would come into play. If the Packers want to make this interesting, they could ask for a guaranteed first round pick in 2024 and a third or fourth round pick be added to the trade. Something the Jets may consider if they want to go all in for a player at the trade deadline.
This update had fans going wild on social media.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @mcquadewarnold, follow us @WiSportsHeroics. Also check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” 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! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.
