Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was hesitant to comment on the deal in much detail Monday, but -- during his previously scheduled annual pre-draft news conference, which began shortly after news of the trade terms broke -- he said there were still a few final details to be worked out.
Among them likely is the fact that Rodgers still must take his physical. So, getting it done was important. I just think certainly the capital for this year was very important, certainly more valuable than future stuff, for our football team. So, there were a number of reasons, but that's why. The blockbuster comes 40 days after Rodgers announced on "The Pat McAfee Show" that his "intention" was to play for the Jets in , triggering intermittent negotiations between the Jets and Packers that dominated the NFL headlines.
The two sides talked for weeks before talks broke down, then discussions heated up again late last week. Finally, Jets general manager Joe Douglas and Gutekunst were able to bridge their differences and come to an agreement. With Rodgers now traded to New York, the Jets are expected to become prime-time darlings when the NFL schedule is released next month and could play up to six prime-time games, sources told Schefter.
They had one last year, a Thursday night home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. For the Jets, frustrated by years of losing and inferior quarterback play, it's arguably the biggest trade in their history, reminiscent of the Brett Favre swap with the Packers in Not satisfied with Zach Wilson , drafted at No.
The Jets haven't made the playoffs in 12 years, the longest active drought in the country's four major sports leagues. For the Packers, it marks the end of an era. Unlike Favre, who wanted to return to the Packers after he unretired, Rodgers apparently wanted out even after he said last summer that he would "definitely" finish his career with the Packers. Things got somewhat contentious between Rodgers and the Packers this offseason.
