If the Green Bay Packers are going to receive a player in return from the New York Jets in their eventual trade of Aaron Rodgers, they are somewhat limited in who they can get, given their salary cap situation.
Due to an additional $9 million in dead cap that will hit the 2023 salary cap when Rodgers is traded, the Packers’ available cap space is going to drop from roughly $24 million down to $15 million. If Green Bay has to absorb any of Rodgers’ $59.5 million guaranteed salary, his dead cap left behind will grow, and their available cap space will shrink.
There are also incoming expenses such as any additional free agent signings, the final two players on the 53-man roster, the draft class, the practice squad, and reserves for in-season spending that will decrease what they have as well–hence why the signings that the Packers have made up to this point have all been inexpensive and short-term deals.
So players like Carl Lawson, Corey Davis, and Jordan Whitehead, who all come with cap hits of $15 million, $10.5 million, and $7.25 million, are all likely out of the Packers’ price range. Not to say that acquiring Davis or Whitehead is impossible, Green Bay could potentially sign them to extensions or use void years to lower their current cap hits, but it would still be a tight squeeze and a move perhaps not worth making with the additional commitment that’s needed.
There are, however, four players on this current Jets team that come with reasonable cap hits and could intrigue the Packers if they are looking to get a player back in return.
Packers Trade Target: Jeremy Ruckert – TE
Need for Packers: Tight end is arguably the biggest need that the Packers have as they search for more depth and playmaking at the position. There are only three tight ends on the roster currently, and only Josiah Deguara has any NFL experience. Robert Tonyan was the only pass-catching threat at the position in 2022, and while reliable, he lacked playmaking ability, something that many of this past year’s playoff teams had at the position.
Stats to know: Ruckert was a 2022 third-round pick by the Jets and appeared in only three games on offense as a rookie. He would catch one pass for eight yards while primarily being used as a blocker. Ruckert also had 99 special teams snaps across a few different units.
Salary Cap Impact: Ruckert will only be entering the second year of his rookie contract and comes with a base salary of $934,314, according to Over the Cap.
Why the Jets would be willing to include Ruckert: At the tight end position, the Jets already have Tyler Conklin and CJ Uzomah, who combined for 109 targets in 2022. On top of that, New York has an intriguing player in Kenny Yeboah on the roster already, and they may also be looking to sign Marcedes Lewis, which would further push Ruckert down the depth chart.
Why the Jets would not want to trade Ruckert: Although he played a small role as a rookie, Ruckert is a relatively high draft pick, only entering his second season. Most rookie tight ends do not make a significant impact but take a step forward in Year 2.
Packers Trade Target: Jermaine Johnson – Edge
Need for Packers: Adding more edge depth is a must for the Packers. Once Rashan Gary went down with an injury, Green Bay was very inconsistent at generating regular pressure on the quarterback. With this being a heavily rotated position that oftentimes uses four players over the course of a game, even with Gary back in the mix, the Packers’ depth has to improve, but without him, as he works his way back from injury, the only players that can be counted on for Week 1 are Preston Smith and Kingsley Enagbare.
Stats to know: Johnson was the Jets’ first-round pick in 2022 and someone prior to the draft that many thought could be a top-10 selection. Johnson was on the field for 312 snaps as a rookie, totaling 14 pressures and three sacks, according to PFF ($$). For what it’s worth, he also graded out decently as a run-blocker, an area where the current Green Bay edge rushers can improve.
Salary Cap Impact: Like Ruckert, Johnson still has three years remaining on his rookie deal, and the Packers would inherit a relatively low cap hit of just $1.299 million this season. At most, Johnson will earn $2.48 million in 2025, and as a first-round pick, he comes with a fifth-year option as well.
Why the Jets would be willing to include Johnson: Sending the Packers a former first-round pick could be how the Jets get out of sending their 2023 first-round pick to the Packers. In addition to that, Carl Lawson, Bryce Huff, Jacob Martin, Michael Clemons, and John Franklin-Myers are all other options that the Packers have at edge rusher. ESPN’s Rich Cimini, who covers the Jets, recently suggested that Johnson could be a part of a trade package.
Why the Jets would not want to trade Johnson: As a former first-round pick that many believed to be a top-10 talent, the Jets simply might not want to give up on a player of that caliber who also plays a premier position so early on in his career.
Packers Trade Target: Elijah Moore – WR
Need for Packers: The Packers have a solid foundation at receiver with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, but this is a unit that could use some experienced depth as well. Right now, Doubs, and his 529 career snaps, is the most experienced player on the roster at this position. And it also wouldn’t hurt to add more playmaking to this position either, with Samori Toure, Bo Melton, and Jeff Cotton being the only other players on the roster.
Stats to know: In his two seasons with the Jets, Moore has 133 total targets — 59 of which came in 2022 — 984 yards at 12.3 yards per catch with six touchdowns. This past season, he had nearly a 50/50 split in terms of time spent out wide and in the slot. Moore averaged 4.7 YAC per catch during the 2021 season.
Salary Cap Impact: Moore has two years remaining on his rookie contract and comes with digestible salaries of $1.47 million and $1.89 million in 2023 and 2024. If the Packers land Moore, something to be mindful of with the end of his rookie contract in sight is a potential extension.
Why the Jets would be willing to include Moore: My guess is that the Jets would rather keep Moore, but if this is what it takes to get this trade across the finish line, that could be what it takes for New York to include him. Moore also could see his snap count decrease with the addition of Allen Lazard and if the Jets also bring in Randall Cobb and Odell Beckham.
Why the Jets would not want to trade Moore: He’s been a key member of this Jets’ offense, leading New York in receiving yards as a rookie and finishing fourth in 2022 with the third most targets. An affordable rookie contract, coupled with production, is a recipe for success in today’s NFL.
Packers Trade Target: Denzel Mims – WR
Need for Packers: As already described, the Packers need both added playmaking and depth at the position, and with such a young wide receiver room, there’s value in having additional experience.
Stats to know: Mims was a 2020 second-round pick by the Jets, and after having 41 targets as a rookie, he has had just 43 total targets over the last two seasons. Although with limited opportunities, Mims has shown some big play abilities, averaging 16.5 yards per catch over his career and averaged a whopping 7.1 yards after the catch in 2022.
Salary Cap Impact: This will be the final year of Mims’ rookie deal, and the Packers would take on a base salary of $1.35 million. With only one year left on his contract, somewhat soon, Green Bay would have to decide if they want to extend him or let him hit free agency after only one season with the team.
Why the Jets would be willing to include Mims: With only one year left on his contract, Mims has played a relatively small role on offense, and that role is likely to become further reduced with the signing of Lazard. Depending on what happens with Corey Davis, Mims is currently the fifth option, and that’s without Cobb or Beckham factored into the equation.
Why the Jets would not want to trade Mims: Of all the players mentioned, my guess is that Mims is the player that the Jets would be most willing to part with. He’s on the final year of his rookie deal and has yet to carve out of significant role at a position that is becoming quite crowded for the Jets.