Aaron Rodgers is finally heading to the New York Jets! After months of speculation and seemingly little traction on the trade, the Green Bay Packers have finalized a deal to send Rodgers to the Big Apple.
Speculation about Rodgers’ future began after Green Bay’s final home game, a 20-16 loss to the Detroit Lions on January 8. The Packers finished with an 8-9 record and missed the playoffs. After the game, Lions wideout Jameson Williams asked Rodgers for his jersey, and Rodgers responded, “I’m going to hold on to this one.”
Rodgers was rumored to have considered retirement, and pundits considered multiple potential destinations for Rodgers. On March 15, Rodgers told Pat McAfee that he wanted the Packers to trade him to the Jets. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst and Jets GM Joe Douglas negotiated for a month and a half before agreeing to a deal.
Like Brett Favre before him, Green Bay has traded their franchise quarterback to the Jets in the twilight of his career. The Packers traded Favre to New York in August 2008, and he played one season for the Jets before finishing his career with the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay will turn to third-year quarterback Jordan Love, 24, to replace Rodgers. Meanwhile, the Jets hope the 39-year-old signal-caller still has something left in the tank.
