Oh, the drama! The Jets have acquired Aaron Rodgers from the Packers in a trade involving a hound pick, a sixth-round pick, and a conditional 2024 second-round pick that becomes a first if Rodgers plays at least 65 percent of the snaps in 2023. The Jets also get back pick No. 15 and a fifth-round pick, but let’s be real, all that matters is that they got Rodgers. Cue the cheers and confetti!
It looks like the Packers won the game of chicken they were playing with the Jets in negotiations ahead of the NFL Draft. The Jets were all like, “protect us if Rodgers retires early” and the Packers were like, “give us a first-round pick no matter what.” In the end, the Packers won and now the Jets have Rodgers. Huzzah!
Sure, maybe the Packers even “won” the trade in terms of compensation for a quarterback who recently toyed with the idea of retiring. But that doesn’t mean the Jets lost the deal. In fact, they went into the offseason knowing all the risks and still pursued Rodgers because they believe they’re getting the MVP version of him who can lead their laughingstock organization to the promised land.
Look, when one of the best quarterbacks of all time wants to come to the Jets, you don’t say no. The Jets are betting on Rodgers to take them to the playoffs and maybe, just maybe, a Super Bowl. And who can blame them? Zach Wilson wasn’t cutting it, Derek Carr has only played in one playoff game, and Jimmy Garoppolo can’t seem to stay healthy. The Jets needed a good quarterback like a fish needs water.
Now, the Jets will deal with 2024 when they get there. For now, they’re focused on 2023 and making a run for the playoffs. It’s not worth worrying about 2024 until 2024, folks. Plus, if we want to criticize the Jets, let’s talk about that whole Wilson debacle. Without that, they wouldn’t be “overpaying” for Rodgers. But here we are, with one of the biggest busts in recent memory replaced by one of the best to ever do it. That’s worth celebrating with some good old-fashioned cheers and maybe even a victory dance or two.
Serious News: nytimes
