Packers, Jets Complete Aaron Rodgers Trade Ahead Of 2023 NFL Draft
The New York Jets and Green Bay Packers have finally agreed to the Aaron Rodgers trade, just in the nick of time ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Just before the clock struck midnight on 2023 NFL Draft picks, the Jets and Packers got together and carved out a deal, sending longtime quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the Big Apple. Green Bay and New York swap several picks in the deal.
Trade compensation, per sources:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2023
Jets get:
🏈Aaron Rodgers, pick No. 15, a 2023 5th-rd pick (No. 170).
Packers get:
🏈Pick No. 13, a 2023 2nd-rd pick (No. 42), a 6th-rd pick (No. 207), a conditional 2024 2nd-rd pick that becomes a 1st if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the plays. pic.twitter.com/Q2vUMfyZGH
The Jets receive pick 15 and pick 170 in the 2023 draft along with Rodgers, and the Packers receive pick 13, 42, and 207 in this year’s draft, along with a conditional second-round pick in 2024 that becomes a first if Rodgers plays 65% of the snaps.
Updated Jets Picks:
15
43
112
143
170
Updated Packers Picks:
13
42
45
78
116
149
207
232
235
242
256
The pick swap and the conditional 2024 pick are the tilting points of the trade. With that swap, the Packers might be in the driver’s seat to land one of the top tackles in the 2023 NFL Draft should Paris Johnson, Peter Skoronski, or (most likely) Broderick Jones fall to them. Jumping the Patriots and Jets gives them a chance to be in the middle of the tackle run. Or, Green Bay jumped the Patriots to secure (finally) a first-round receiver, Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba could complement Christian Watson very well and give more support to Jordan Love, who will be under center at 1265 Lombardi Avenue in 2023.
As for the Jets, Rodgers comes to save the QB position and they still have picks 15 and 43 to upgrade the trenches, add another threat at tight end, etc. to help protect Rodgers or give him another weapon in the passing game. They will sit behind Green Bay for both selections barring a trade up. Still, a combination like the aforementioned Jones or Darnell Wright and a player like Joe Tippman at center is possible to upgrade the offensive line. If their interest in tight end is real, Darnell Washington has a chance to make it there, as does LaPorta. They could inject their front four with a player like Calijah Kancey, Adetomiwa Adebawore, or Nolan Smith to make a fearsome group up front.
Whatever happens this week in the 2023 NFL Draft, know that this trade adds to the chaos. We don’t know much about what will happen, but the Jets and Packers will be active in the craziness, even after this trade.