The Aaron Rodgers era is officially over for the Green Bay Packers, as they traded him to the New York Jets on Monday for four draft picks.
It puts to an end a bit of a strained relationship between the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback and the storied franchise, as there were rumors last offseason that he may leave amidst difficult contract negotiations.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst was asked if he regrets not trading Rodgers in 2022, and he said he has no idea what kind of a return he would’ve gotten for him at the time.
Brian Gutekunst is pleased with this trade return for Aaron Rodgers, even though he initially wanted more. Asked him if he regrets not making this trade a year ago, since he would’ve gotten more. His response: pic.twitter.com/FFt3aSKkuP
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) April 26, 2023
A year ago, Rodgers was coming off back-to-back league MVPs and was still one of the top-five quarterbacks in the league, but the Packers had just unexpectedly lost at home in the Divisional round to the San Francisco 49ers despite a 13-4 regular season record.
Rodgers was given a new contract, but it perhaps came at the expense of star wide receiver Davante Adams, who was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Without arguably the best wideout in the world, Green Bay’s pass offense was mediocre, and they missed the playoffs after going just 8-9.
Now, Rodgers will get to play for a Jets team that has ample young talent, not to mention one of the NFL’s top defenses.
Allen Lazard, one of his favorite targets the last few years in Green Bay, will join him in New York, and he will enjoy the services of reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, a wideout who posted 1,103 yards in 2022.
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