Jets GM welcomes Rodgers after 'historic' trade
Following his team's trade for Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas praised the four-time NFL MVP on Tuesday and described the deal as "historic" for the franchise.
"Aaron is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play this game. ... It's a real credit to (coach) Robert (Saleh), his staff, and what he's been able to implement with our players and everyone here that a player of Aaron's caliber would even want to come here," Douglas said Tuesday.
"We feel this is a historic trade for this franchise," he added.
The Jets and Green Bay Packers agreed to terms on a trade Monday after negotiating for weeks. Rodgers, Green Bay's all-time leader in passing touchdowns, said March 15 that he wanted to play for the Jets after spending his first 18 NFL seasons with the Packers.
In addition to Rodgers, New York will reportedly receive the 15th overall pick and a 2023 fifth-round selection from Green Bay in exchange for the No. 13 pick, a 2023 second-round choice, and a 2023 sixth-round selection. Additionally, the Jets dealt a conditional 2024 second-rounder that can become a first if Rodgers plays 65% of the team's offensive snaps this year.
The reported terms of the trade left many around the NFL wondering if the Jets overpaid for Rodgers, but Douglas said he's happy with the deal.
"We're comfortable with how this deal is shaped," the GM said. "I don't think anyone walks away from a negotiation where you feel like (you) won everything in terms of what's gone back and forth. Ultimately, our goal from the beginning was to add Aaron to the team."
Rodgers left his future open-ended after the 2022 season and considered retirement. New York will now inherit the remainder of a three-year, $150-million extension Rodgers signed in March 2022. The deal includes $59.45 million guaranteed this season. The 39-year-old, who's expected to renegotiate his contract with New York, will count for $15.8 million against the Jets' salary cap in 2023 and $32.5 million in 2024.
Douglas refused to answer Tuesday whether Rodgers has indicated if he plans to play beyond the 2023 season, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post.
The GM added that Rodgers' arrival will help quarterback Zach Wilson, who's struggled since the Jets drafted him second overall in 2021.
"I feel like this is going to be a great thing for Zach," Douglas said. "Zach's ceiling is unlimited. No one works harder, no one loves (football) more than Zach Wilson. Him having the opportunity to really shadow and be with a first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback every day ... that's a great opportunity."