Aaron Rodgers: Jets GM just handed Packers all the trade leverage

Leverage. It's the word we've heard far too often regarding trade negotiations between the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets for Aaron Rodgers.

However, Jets general manager Joe Douglas may have just helped the Packers tremendously.

Not only has Rodgers publicly stated his intention to play for the Jets on the 'Pat McAfee Show', Douglas just made a huge statement of his own.

Douglas appeared at a WFAN Sports Radio event on Friday. As expected, he was asked about Aaron Rodgers.

"He's gonna be here," said Douglas.

This plays right into the Packers' hands.

Aaron Rodgers: Jets GM just handed Packers all the trade leverage

If I were Packers GM Brian Gutekunst listening to those comments by Joe Douglas, I'd be delighted.

"Oh, Rodgers is 'gonna be there', is he? Well, we're gonna get a first-round pick then," is what Gutekunst should respond with.

The fact Douglas is even making such a bold statement publicly about a player under contract with the Packers is strange enough. To add that he's "gonna be here" before a deal is concluded is perhaps not the best move.

The Jets might not be willing to give the Packers the 13th overall pick in the draft. However, the Jets have also built their entire offseason around trading for Aaron Rodgers.

They have watched several available veteran quarterbacks sign elsewhere, and they don't pick high enough to select a quarterback in the first round. New York brought in Nathaniel Hackett and Allen Lazard.

The Jets are going all-in. Their offseason work shows this. They need Aaron Rodgers.

Not only that, their GM just promised a fanbase that he's coming.

Brian Gutekunst should make sure the deal doesn't happen until the 13th overall pick in this month's draft is "gonna be there" in Green Bay, Wisconsin.