The New York Jets finally acquired quarterback Aaron Rodgers, agreeing to terms on a deal with the Green Bay Packers after weeks of speculation and rumors. While the entire Jets’ organization and fan base is celebrating the move, many around the league aren’t as complimentary.
New York sacrificed significant draft capital to acquire the four-time NFL MVP. In addition to moving down from the 13th pick to the 15th overall selection the Jets, traded a conditional pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and the 42nd overall pick on April 28.
- Aaron Rodgers career stats: 103.6 QB rating, 475-105 TD-INT, 59,055 passing yards
The move instantly provides credibility to the Jets’ offense, creating one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL. When news of the trade broke, New York’s Super Bowl odds spiked and it climbed in NFL power rankings.
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However, not everyone offered praise for the Jets following the trade. Because New York was the only team Rodgers would play for and Green Bay expressed its desire to move on from him, some believed the Packers didn’t have leverage in negotiations. It’s why some around the league believe the Jets overpaid for Rodgers.
NFL executives and coaches spoke to Jeff Howe of The Athletic about the deal. Many officials working in front offices were critical of the deal from the Jets’ perspective, believing they overpaid for Rodgers.
“The Jets gave up too much.”
Anonymous NFL executive on the Aaron Rodgers trade
While several NFL coaches believed the Packers held the leverage in trade negotiations and New York would improve by upgrading at quarterback, executives were more skeptical. With Rodgers entering his age-39 season, some believe his decline as a player could backfire on New York.
Read: Winners, losers from New York Jets and Green Bay Packers trade
“(Rodgers is a) descending player who didn’t want to be (with the Packers) and will probably retire this year if things don’t go well. I could see this blowing up in the Jets’ faces.”
Second NFL executive on the possibility of the trade backfiring on the New York Jets
As part of the deal, the Jets agreed to provide the Packers with a conditional second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft order. It will become a first-round selection if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the snaps during the regular season, the equivalent of him starting in 12 games.
It’s a significant price to pay for a quarterback whose production slipped last season. After winning his fourth NFL MVP in 2021, Rodgers’s quarterback rating dropped by more than 20 points (111.9 to 91.1) and he threw nearly as many interceptions last season (12) as he did in his four previous seasons combined (15).
However, Rodgers is still a superior option to what the Jets experienced in recent years. Mike White led the team in passer rating (75.7) and completion rate (58.9 percent) last season, while quarterback Zach Wilson trended closer toward becoming one of the biggest NFL Draft busts ever.
New York paid a significant price to acquire Rodgers and NFL executives are likely right that he is no longer an MVP-caliber quarterback. However, the Jets haven’t had a winning record since 2015 and they last made the playoffs in 2010. It put the franchise in a spot of desperation, with Rodgers providing the stability at quarterback necessary for New York to finally contend for a Super Bowl.
Related: 2024 NFL mock draft