Why Packers are in driver’s seat of Aaron Rodgers trade negotiations
The Aaron Rodgers era is over. Jordan Love will take over as the Green Bay Packers‘ starting quarterback in 2023.
That much we know.
Rodgers publicly stated his intention to play for the New York Jets on the “Pat McAfee Show”.
However, as of yet, no trade has been agreed between the Packers and Jets.
It should only be a matter of time before a deal is made. But the Packers should be in the driver’s seat when it comes to negotiations.
Andrew Brandt was part of the Packers’ front office when Aaron Rodgers was drafted in 2005 and when Brett Favre was traded to the Jets in 2008. He was there for it all.
Brandt tweeted that “on his way out”, Rodgers “just helped out the Packers franchise immensely.”
Aaron Rodgers, on his way out of Green Bay, just helped out the Packers franchise immensely.
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) March 15, 2023
The Jets fan base is now at a fevered pitch, just waiting for management to do this deal.
Packers have no timetable, no need to hurry, can just wait for the Jets to cave to their price.
And it’s a great point.
The Jets need the Rodgers deal to happen. There are few other options for them. Rodgers has made it clear he wants to play there, and the fans now expect him to arrive.
Yes, both sides need the trade, but the Packers don’t need it now.
New York presumably wants the deal sorted as soon as possible. That way, they can get Rodgers in the building and start preparing for the new season.
But the Packers can be patient. They know they are moving on from Rodgers, and they would actually lose cap space by trading him, so there’s no rush.
According to Over The Cap, Rodgers’ cap hit for 2023 is $31.62 million. By trading him, they will be left with a dead cap number of $40.31 million.
Green Bay will want the trade done, but if GM Brian Gutekunst feels the offer isn’t fair, he can simply wait. The Packers move forward with their offseason as planned in the meantime.
What would Green Bay want in a deal? That’s unclear, but NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that they are not asking for multiple first-round picks.
It would be a bad scenario for everyone involved if the trade doesn’t go through, but there should be a greater sense of urgency from the Jets.
Ultimately, a compromise is needed. Both sides want — and need — an agreement to be made.
But the Packers can be patient, putting them in the driver’s seat of negotiations.