Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a four-time MVP with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, is apparently heading to the Big Apple.
The New York Jets have agreed to a deal to acquire Rodgers, 39, from Green Bay, ESPN and The Associated Press reported, citing sources with “knowledge of the deal.”
As part of the deal, Green Bay and New York will swap picks in the first round of this year’s draft, according to WBAY-TV. Green Bay will draft at No. 13, while the Jets will have the 15th pick. The Packers will also receive a second-round pick, a sixth-round pick and a conditional 2024 second-round pick that can become a first-round pick if Rodgers plays 65% of the Jets’ plays this season, The Athletic reported.
The trade marks the second time the Packers have traded a franchise quarterback in the twilight of his career. In 2009, Green Bay traded Brett Favre to the Jets for a conditional fourth-round draft choice.
During his 18 seasons in Green Bay, Rodgers led the Packers to a Super Bowl title and was a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com.
In the regular season, Rodgers passed for 59,055 yards and threw for 475 touchdowns. He added 5,894 yards and 45 touchdowns in the postseason.
It was the second straight offseason that Rodgers considered whether to continue playing or retire.
He ultimately decided to return for his 19th season after coming to an agreement with Packers officials that he would play for another team, The Athletic reported.
According to the sports website, Jets officials met with Rodgers in Southern California and worked out a deal to bring him to the New York area.
Since Joe Namath led the Jets to their only Super Bowl victory in January 1969, the team has struggled to find another marquee quarterback, The New York Times reported. The team has used first-round picks for Richard Todd in 1976, Ken O’Brien in 1983, Chad Pennington in 2000, Mark Sanchez in 2009, Sam Darnold in 2018 and Zach Wilson in 2021, according to the newspaper.
Todd led the Jets to the AFC Championship game during the 1982 season, while Sanchez led the team to back-to-back championship game appearances in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. The Jets also reached the AFC title game during the 1998 season.
Although Namath gave Rodgers his blessing to wear No. 12 with the Jets, Rodgers is expected to wear No. 8, which he wore during his college days at Cal, ESPN reported.
Thanks to the deal, Green Bay will have 11 picks heading into the draft later this week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. They will now have one pick in the first round, two in the second, one each in the third through sixth rounds, and four in the seventh, according to the newspaper.
Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst said in a news conference on Monday that it was “unfortunate and disappointing” that he had not talked with Rodgers since the season ended. He added that he was “really excited” to move forward with Jordan Love, who has been Rodgers’ backup for the past three seasons.
2005: Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers poses for his 2005 NFL headshot at photo day in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Getty Images)
2008: Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers poses for his 2008 NFL headshot at photo day in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers poses with the MVP trophy after speaking to the media during a press conference at Super Bowl XLV Media Center on February 7, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
In this handout photo provided by Disney, Super Bowl XLV Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers takes a celebratory ride with Mickey Mouse, following the Green Bay Packers’ 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers February 6, 2011, at Walt Disney World Resort February 7, 2011 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Rodgers was 24 for 39 for 304 yards and threw three touchdowns in the Packers’ Super Bowl win. Immediately after Super Bowl XLV was over, Rodgers shouted "I’m Going to Disney World!" and "I’m Going to Disneyland!" for TV cameras as the star of the latest Disney Parks advertisement. (Photo by Gene Duncan/Disney via Getty Images)
NFL player Aaron Rodgers and actor Justin Timberlake present the ESPY for Best Male College Athlete during The 2011 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before the 2015 NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on January 18, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
NFL player Aaron Rodgers (L) and actress Olivia Munn attend the DirecTV and Pepsi Super Saturday Night featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers at Pier 70 on February 6, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for DirecTV)
NFL player Aaron Rodgers attends the 88th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
NFL player Aaron Rodgers (L) and host Danica Patrick attend The 2018 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers after the Patriots defeated the Packers 31-17 at Gillette Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers shares a moment with former quarterback Brett Favre during a ceremony for the late Bart Starr at halftime of the game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after getting the win against the Washington Redskins at Lambeau Field on December 08, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers warms up prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-23 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 12, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC Championship game at Levi’s Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates scoring his first running touchdown of the season in the 2nd quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lambeau Field on November 15, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Davante Adams #17 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with teammate Aaron Rodgers #12 following a nine yard touchdown reception during the third quarter of their game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field on December 06, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The touchdown marks Rodgers’ 400th career touchdown pass. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks on in the second half against the New York Jets during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 21, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers takes the field during player introductions against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field on October 03, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after running for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field on October 03, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
