Aaron Rodgers-Jets Trade: Is the Packers QB Finally Leaving Green Bay?
Speaking at the "The Pat McAfee Show" Wednesday, after the Aaron Rodgers Jets trade, former Packers star QB made it clear that he still wants to play, but he wants to play for the New York Jets.
"And I haven't been holding anything up at this point. It's been compensation that the Packers are trying to get for me," he said.
The legendary Green Bay quarterback also said he was "90 percent retired and 10 percent playing" before emerging from his recent darkness retreat to find out the Packers were considering a trade, according to Yahoo Sports.
Another turning point, he said, was when the Packers selected Jordan Love, his presumed replacement, in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
"In 2020, they drafted Jordan to replace me," Rodgers said. "This conversation would have happened a lot sooner had I not won back-to-back MVPs."
After their meeting last week, the Jets reportedly asked Rodgers about former teammates. However, he denied a report about recommending players like Odell Beckham Jr. to the Jets.
READ NEXT: Packers Star Aaron Rodgers Trade to Jets Is Reportedly 'Done'
Aaron Rodgers Says It's Time for the Packers "To Do the Right Thing"
Rodgers thanked Green Bay for his long career during his Wednesday appearance, but he also said it was time for the Packers to "do the right thing."
"I don't think there's a scenario where they're like, 'Well, we want this, and the Jets aren't willing to give it to us, so we'll take you back,'" Rodgers said. "That's not the reality."
The teams may have agreed on compensation, according to several reports, but trade had yet to be completed as of Wednesday afternoon, per CBS News.
Rodgers is guaranteed roughly $120 million over the next two seasons, so the compensation is not expected to be as expensive as it has been for other elite quarterbacks who have been traded across the league in recent years.
The Jets hired Nathaniel Hackett as their new offensive coordinator, and Rodgers said it is a big part of why he might want to play for them.
During Hackett's time as the Packers' offensive coordinator (2019-21), Rodgers passed for 12,416 yards, 111 touchdowns, and just 13 interceptions while also winning two of his MVP trophies.
Why Is Aaron Rodgers Jets Trade a Good Decision?
Since Joe Namath led them to their sole Super Bowl title in 1969, the Jets have been on the hunt for a franchise quarterback, NBC News noted.
Mark Sanchez, Sam Darnold, and Zach Wilson were all first-round picks since 2009, and they also employed Christian Hackenberg and Geno Smith, who has since rebounded in Seattle in the second round. They only have three winning seasons in that time (90-136 overall record).
Brett Favre joined Gang Green in 2008 when he was already 38 years old. After only one season, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, where his play improved dramatically over the next two seasons before his retirement in 2010.
Aaron Rodgers was the Packers' MVP in 2020 and 2021, but he is coming off a 2022 season in which he had his worst passer rating as a starter and threw 12 picks, his most since 2008.
The Packers ended their run of three consecutive NFC North victories with an 8-9 record and a missed playoff appearance.
With the retirement of Tom Brady in New England, the emergence of Josh Allen in Buffalo, the ascent of Tua Tagovailoa, and the team acquisitions of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Aaron Rodgers' impending arrival would add additional fire to an AFC East League that has experienced severe shakeups.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Aaron Rodgers Tells Pat McAfee He Wants To Be Traded To Jets LIVE (Full Interview) - From The Pat McAfee Show
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