By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. (AP Pro Football Writer)
After six weeks of ready, Aaron Rodgers is forsaking his sensible legacy in Green Bay and heading to the intense lights — and large expectations — of the Big Apple.
The New York Jets agreed on a deal Monday to accumulate the four-time NFL MVP from the Packers, in response to an individual with information of the commerce. The individual spoke to The Associated Press on the situation of anonymity as a result of the groups had not formally introduced the deal.
Packers normal supervisor Brian Gutekunst mentioned at a predraft information convention that the deal hasn’t been finalized, however needs to be accomplished earlier than the draft begins Thursday.
“We were expecting it to be done very quickly, hopefully soon,” Gutekunst mentioned. “A lot of things have been agreed upon. Some things to go through.”
The Jets will obtain Rodgers, the No. 15 general decide and a fifth-rounder this yr from the Packers, in response to one other individual with information of the commerce. In trade, Green Bay will get the thirteenth general choice, a second-rounder (No. 42) and a sixth-rounder this yr and a conditional 2024 second-round decide that may turn into a first-rounder if Rodgers performs 65% of performs for New York subsequent season.
ESPN first reported the settlement on phrases between the groups on a deal.
The 39-year-old Rodgers spent a number of days in February considering his life and taking part in future throughout an isolation retreat in Oregon – whereas followers and media speculated about what he would resolve.
He emerged and deliberated some extra earlier than deciding on March 10 he meant to play once more — and for the Jets. Rodgers made his intentions official throughout an look on “The Pat McAfee Show” on YouTube and Sirius XM on March 15. That got here after New York had despatched a contingent that included proprietor Woody Johnson, coach Robert Saleh and normal supervisor Joe Douglas to Rodgers’ dwelling in Southern California in early March.
And then he and the sports activities world waited — and waited — for the Packers and Jets to lastly full a deal.
“We’ve been working on this for a while,” Gutekunst mentioned. “To get beyond the draft I think would have been tough for both teams.”
Several weeks of negotiations seemed to be stalled at occasions, with followers — and the groups — questioning when or if the commerce could be accomplished.
“We’re anxious,” Johnson instructed reporters on the league’s annual conferences on March 28. “I guess, as we look forward, we’re optimistic. But we have a plan, so we’re willing to stick with our plan. And I don’t think anybody is hyperventilating at this point.”
It took some time, however the sides have been lastly capable of agree on compensation. And the deal places the one-time Super Bowl champion in New York after Zach Wilson, the No. 2 general draft decide in 2021, struggled mightily in his first two seasons.
New York was 7-10 final season, ending on a six-game dropping streak that prolonged the NFL’s longest energetic playoff drought to a franchise-record 12 straight years.
With the Jets, Rodgers reunites with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to attempt to jumpstart an offense that was among the many NFL’s worst underneath coordinator Mike LaFleur, the youthful brother of Matt, Rodgers’ coach in Green Bay the previous 4 years. Rodgers joins some promising younger playmakers on offense, equivalent to vast receiver Garrett Wilson, the AP offensive rookie of the yr, and operating again Breece Hall.
“There’s a lot of reasons why the Jets are attractive,” Rodgers mentioned throughout his look on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “But there’s one coach that has meant as much to me as any coach I’ve ever had. And he happens to be the coordinator there.”
Saleh acknowledged a number of occasions this offseason that the Jets have been in search of a veteran quarterback so as to add to a workforce that includes a top-five protection. And Johnson mentioned he was “absolutely” on board with paying a longtime sign caller — “the missing piece,” he known as it — if Douglas may get him.
They ended up getting one of many NFL’s best quarterbacks.
Rodgers mentioned shortly after the season ended that he was making up his thoughts on whether or not he needed to return to the Packers for a nineteenth season, retire or request a commerce. Meanwhile, the Jets explored a number of quarterback choices, together with assembly with free agent Derek Carr at their facility after which once more on the NFL mix in Indianapolis.
But after Carr agreed to phrases to signal with New Orleans, it grew to become much more obvious that New York could be all in on Rodgers — so long as he needed to play there.
It’s harking back to the gorgeous commerce the Jets made in 2008, after they acquired Brett Favre — who additionally turned 39 a number of months later — from the Packers. And, coincidentally, clearing the best way for Rodgers to start out in Green Bay.
Rodgers was the league MVP in 2020 and 2021, however didn’t carry out as effectively final season whereas taking part in with a damaged proper thumb and coping with the absence of star wideout Davante Adams, who was traded to Las Vegas. He had his lowest passer ranking as a starter (91.1) and threw 12 interceptions, his highest whole since 2008. The Packers went 8-9 and missed the playoffs to finish a string of three straight NFC North titles.
Rodgers led the Packers to their final Super Bowl title within the 2010 season. Rodgers by no means received the Packers again to the Super Bowl, however he helped make them annual contenders. The Packers have misplaced within the NFC championship sport 4 of the final 9 seasons.
“I’ve got nothing but love and appreciation for what Aaron has done for so many in our organization,” Matt LaFleur mentioned final month throughout the NFL conferences in Phoenix.
Rodgers’ departure marks a sea of change for the Packers after they’ve had about three a long time of Hall of Fame-level quarterback manufacturing in Favre and Rodgers. Next in line is Jordan Love, a 2020 first-round decide who has made just one profession begin.
Rodgers acknowledged the transfer caught him unexpectedly. He skipped the Packers’ 2021 necessary minicamp in a standoff with workforce administration earlier than reporting to camp and producing a second straight MVP season. (He additionally received the award for 2011 and 2014.) But the perimeters had patched issues up afterward.
When he was requested final June on the Packers’ necessary minicamp whether or not he anticipated to complete his profession in Green Bay, Rodgers replied: “Yes. Definitely.”
Then got here a 2022 season that didn’t go in response to plan.
Rodgers now can be tasked with main a franchise that hasn’t been within the Super Bowl since Joe Namath led the franchise to a victory in its solely look in January 1969.
And quarterback points have typically been among the many key culprits within the struggles since. That has particularly been the case throughout the Jets’ present playoff drought.
Saleh mentioned the Jets stay dedicated to creating Wilson, the second general decide in 2021. But the 23-year-old will accomplish that as a backup to Rodgers, who was Wilson’s idol whereas rising up in Utah.
Wilson joked the day after the season ended that he’d welcome a veteran starter coming in to say his job and mentioned he plans to “make that dude’s life hell in practice every day.”
Little did he know then “that dude” could be the quarterback he tried to emulate as a teen — who’ll now be in New York making an attempt carry the Jets to a different long-awaited Super Bowl.
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AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi and AP Sports Writer Steve Megargee contributed.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com