Favre: Rodgers 'will do great' with Jets

Brett Favre is expecting good things from Aaron Rodgers on the New York Jets.

"Aaron will do great!" Favre texted ESPN's Rich Cimini. "He will handle the transition as well as anyone. (He's a) very smart and instinctive person, on and off the field. In other words, you're not going to catch him by surprise very often."

The Green Bay Packers agreed to trade Rodgers to the Jets on Monday in exchange for several draft picks. The 39-year-old, who's Green Bay's all-time leader in passing touchdowns, spent his first 18 NFL seasons with the Packers before declaring his intention in March to head to New York.

Favre went through something similar in 2008. After playing 16 campaigns with Green Bay, including three as Rodgers' teammate, the Packers traded him to the Jets. For his part, Favre believes Rodgers will elevate New York's offense.

"(He's) the best at making everyone around him better," Favre added. "I would rather not bet at all than bet against him."

Rodgers won back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021 but took a step back last year, finishing the 2022 campaign with a 64.6% completion rate, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He'd passed for 85 touchdowns in the previous two seasons combined.

The Jets boasted a top-five defense last season but missed the playoffs due to their offensive struggles, particularly at quarterback.

In addition to Rodgers, New York signed pass-catchers Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman this offseason, adding to a wide receiver depth chart that's headlined by 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson.