The Aaron Rodgers trade to the New York Jets has finally been agreed upon, and the Green Bay Packers made out about as well as they could’ve imagined. For well over a month, it’s been clear that the Packers had little choice but to trade Rodgers to the Jets. By holding out for better draft compensation, Green Bay improved its first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and will likely acquire New York’s 2024 first-round pick.
The Packers are swapping the No. 15 overall pick in the 2023 draft for the Jets’ No. 13 overall pick in the Aaron Rodgers trade, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Green Bay will also receive the No. 42 overall pick in the 2023 draft, a 2023 sixth-round pick and a conditional 2024 second-round selection. In addition to getting their new starting quarterback, the Jets acquired a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft.
The Jets are legitimate Super Bowl contenders with the four-time NFL MVP under center. It’s a virtual guarantee that none of the players the Packers will select with their new draft picks will have better careers than Rodgers. And yet, Green Bay arguably got the better end of the deal.
Let’s take a look at why the Packers won the Aaron Rodgers trade.
New York Jets caved and traded a first-round pick to Green Bay Packers
Technically, the Jets didn’t give up a first-round pick for Rodgers just yet, but it’s a pretty safe bet that New York’s 2024 first-rounder is going to Green Bay. The conditional second-round pick in the deal becomes a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65% of the snaps in the 2023 season. In the last nine seasons, Rodgers has played at least 16 games eight times. Even if Rodgers only makes 12 starts next season, he’s likely to hit the 65% threshold.