It’s been almost nine months since the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets officially completed a blockbuster deal, sending long-time Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to New York in exchange for draft capital.
However, the move has not quite lived up to expectations thus far, especially following Rodgers’ season-ending injury on the first drive of the season.
Trade Details for Aaron Rodgers: Packers Receive:
- 2023 first-round pick (Lukas Van Ness)
- 2023 second-round pick (Luke Musgrave)
- 2023 sixth-round pick (Anders Carlson)
- 2024 second-round pick (conditional first-rounder if Rodgers played 65% of snaps in 2023)
Jets Receive:
- Aaron Rodgers
- 2023 first-round pick (Will McDonald IV)
- 2023 fifth-round pick (used to trade down, selecting Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Zack Kuntz)
The decision to part ways with Aaron Rodgers stemmed from factors such as his age (39 years old at the time of the trade) and a perceived decline in performance after years of productivity.
In the 2022 season, Rodgers posted career lows in completion percentage (64.6%), passing yards (3,695), and touchdowns (26), coupled with the second-highest interception total of his career.
Additionally, the Packers were keen to evaluate Jordan Love in game action after selecting him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
With Rodgers requesting a trade to the Jets, the deal took time but eventually materialized.
However, Rodgers’ season was cut short by a season-ending Achilles injury in the Jets’ season-opening game.
Meanwhile, Love excelled as a first-year starter, completing 64.2% of his pass attempts for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, along with 247 rushing yards and four scores.
The Packers, based on Love’s performance, appear to be clear winners in the trade, having also acquired productive players from the draft capital received.
Tight end Luke Musgrave, drafted in the deal, has contributed with 34 receptions for 352 yards and one touchdown in 11 appearances.
The Packers, now back in the playoffs with a 9-8 record, aim to secure their first playoff win since 2020 as they face the Dallas Cowboys.
Overall, the trade seems to have worked in Green Bay’s favor, while the Jets hope for Rodgers to make a more significant impact in 2024 to justify the lost draft capital.