Packers need to trade Aaron Rodgers by Day 2 of 2023 NFL Draft
The Green Bay Packers and New York Jets have played hardball against each other for long enough. Both teams are waiting for the other to blink regarding the trade negotiation for four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported the two sides have resumed negotiations this week. He tweeted, “A deal is not imminent, but the two sides are at least talking — with hopes a deal can (finally) be done this week.”
That’s a significant step in the right direction.
It’s time the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets conclude their trade negotiations for Aaron Rodgers and complete the deal by Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Both teams want to complete the deal. Rodgers wants to become a Jet. Day 2 of the 2023 NFL draft is when the agreement must be completed. So, what’s the hold-up?
The two sides have reportedly been stuck on the draft compensation. It appears they agree on New York sending one of their two second-round picks (42nd or 43rd overall) to Green Bay in the deal. That’s a good starting point, as the Packers desperately need that selection to begin an immediate rebuild around Jordan Love.
At 42 or 43 in the draft, Green Bay should be able to grab a tight end (Darnell Washington, Luke Musgrave or Sam LaPorta), a safety (Sydney Brown), a wide receiver (Jonathan Mingo, Cedric Tillman or Josh Downs) or an outside linebacker (Felix Anudike-Uzomah, BJ Ojulari, or Will McDonald IV). That would give them a player who should be able to help immediately in 2023 at a position of need.
The two sides are stuck on future compensation.
Green Bay wants an unconditional 2024 first-round pick and will give a 2025 selection back if Rodgers retires before next season. New York wants to attach conditions to their 2024 compensation based on whether Rodgers plays and how the Jets do this season.
With the draft set to kick off on Thursday, April 27th, the two sides shouldn’t have to agree to a deal until the following day–April 28th. If the deal doesn’t include the 13th overall pick, that should buy them an extra day to make the trade. If we’re getting technical, they have until the Jets make their selection at 43rd overall.
Deadlines spur action, and the Friday deadline needs to spur action for both franchises. They’ve dragged this out long enough, and it’s time for everyone involved to get clarity and move on with their lives.
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The Packers are fully committed to Love. The Jets and Rodgers are all in on each other. In the words of Packers’ former outside linebacker Kevin Greene, “It. Is. Time.”