The lingering Aaron Rodgers trade from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets is seemingly near completion.
However, the two sides have not yet fully worked out compensation heading back to Green Bay for the future first ballot Hall of Famer. It’s been a drawn out and drama-filled process.
The good news? Things could soon be coming to an end. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Friday that a lot of the deal is already done. Those around the NFL believe that something will be finalized either before the start of the 2023 NFL Draft on April 27 or during the first day of the annual event.
“A lot of this deal. They’re close, they just have some of those draft compensation considerations that they have to shake out. Most people I talked to around the league believe closer to the draft, maybe even on day one, when teams are getting on the clock pretty soon that this will shake out,” report on where Aaron Rodgers trade stands right now.
Per Fowler, New York has been going through the pre-draft process planning to have the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. That was originally a demand by Green Bay before Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst backed off the asking price.
By now, you likely already know that the 39-year-old Rodgers has made it clear he wants to be traded to the Jets after 18 seasons in Green Bay. The four-time NFL MVP holds a lot of the cards here due to his albatross of a contract.
Aaron Rodgers contract: 3 yearts, $150.8 million
This deal calls for a $31.62 million figure that’s on the Packers’ books right now. It also comes with a $99.78 million dead cap hit, meaning that the enigmatic star would have to restructure or extend his contract in order to facilitate a trade.
As for how a deal might look leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, there’s been a lot of talk about a conditional pick in the 2024 event based on Rodgers’ playing time, the Jets’ success with him under center and whether the controversial quarterbak will suit up beyond next season.
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For now, the thought process is that New York will send one of its second-round picks later this month and a conditional 2024 selection that could turn into a first-rounder to Green Bay in an Aaron Rodgers trade.
Though, other reports suggest that the Jets want some sort of conditional compensation in the 2025 NFL Draft to protect themselves for a short-term Rodgers stay in Jersey.