The entire NFL world was waiting for the final details of Aaron Rodgers trade for a long time. Fans had grown impatient as the star quarterback of the Green Bay Packers gave them high hopes. It would have been a nasty situation if the deal had not gone through.
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However, the Packers and the Jets shocked everyone when they announced that Green Bay was finally ready to trade their long-time franchise quarterback to New York in exchange for a first-round pick swap, a second-round pick, a sixth-round pick, and a conditional 2024 second-round pick. This blockbuster news provided relief to a long-suffering fanbase. Along with many fans, the former head coach of the team, Rex Ryan, was elated and did not shy away from sharing his thoughts on the trade.
Trade compensation, per sources:
Jets get:
🏈Aaron Rodgers, pick No. 15, a 2023 5th-rd pick (No. 170).Packers get:
🏈Pick No. 13, a 2023 2nd-rd pick (No. 42), a 6th-rd pick (No. 207), a conditional 2024 2nd-rd pick that becomes a 1st if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the plays. pic.twitter.com/Q2vUMfyZGH— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2023
This is the beginning of a new era for the Jets
Former NFL coach and current sports analyst Rex Ryan recently appeared on ESPN’s Get Up. He was ready to deliver an inspirational speech as he sported a Jets letterman jacket and shiny team jewelry. Ryan was of the opinion that the back-to-back MVP winner will lead his new team to the Super Bowl.
“This happens to be Super Bowl III—my dad’s Super Bowl ring right there. And why am I wearing it? Because the Jets are going!” he excitedly yelled. “Watch out, everybody. Here come the Jets! Here come the Jets! Right now, we haven’t had this type of quarterback maybe ever, since [Joe Nameth] or whatever, or maybe ever. This (Aaron Rodgers) is the missing piece for the New York Jets right here.”
Rex Ryan firing up #Jets Nation, ‘this is my dad’s #SuperBowl 3 ring, why am I wearing it? Because the Jets are going!’ 😤 ‘[Aaron Rodgers] is the missing piece! The entire #NFL we just put you on notice. Guess what? We’re gonna kick your butt’ 🎥 @GetUpESPN #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/J20kql7dhw
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) April 25, 2023
Last time the team won the prestigious championship was back in 1969, when Ryan’s father, the renowned Buddy Ryan, was the defensive line coach for New York.
“This is the missing piece for the New York Jets right here,” Ryan said. “And you know what? Guess what, all you fans in the AFC East: It ain’t no fun when the rabbit’s got the gun!” Here, the gun is their new QB, Rodgers. Ryan earnestly believes that the future Hall of Famer will help New York in winning the Super Bowl title.
Aaron Rodgers joins one of the best rosters in the league
The four-time MVP now joins a squad that boasts a top-five defense and is stacked with players who can play at several positions, which has quickly elevated the team to a dominant position in the AFC East. The Jets were fourth in terms of points allowed (316) and sixth in terms of yards allowed (5,288) last season. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson, the offensive rookie of the year, and rising running back Breece Hall, whose explosive rookie season was cut short by an ACL injury, are both part of the young offense.
Aaron Rodgers last throw as a Packer pic.twitter.com/VWUa7Qobro
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) April 24, 2023
Allen Lazard, a former Packers wide receiver and one of Rodgers’ favorite weapons, also inked a four-year contract with New York during the summer. Not to mention that Nathaniel Hackett, his new offensive coordinator, served as his OC in Green Bay from 2019 to 21. For the first time since Super Bowl III in 1969, the Jets are looking like definite Super Bowl contenders, and a lot of credit for that goes to Aaron’s arrival.
