Day 2 of NFL Draft Is ’Soft Deadline’ for Aaron Rodgers Trade, Schefter Says

According to the ESPN insider, that “soft deadline” day is rapidly approaching.

On a Thursday episode of ESPN’s SportsCenter, Adam Schefter revealed Day 2 of next week’s NFL Draft as a potential “soft deadline” for any Aaron Rodgers trade between the Packers and Jets.

“The line of demarcation, the soft deadline, is next Friday night, picks 42 and 43,” Schefter said, via Bleacher Report. “Because if picks 42 and 43 come and go without Aaron Rodgers being traded to the New York Jets, then the wait for him to become a Jet could go on for an awful long time.”

The Jets hold pick No. 13 in the first round as well as two high-second round selections. Green Bay would seemingly desire any valuable 2023 draft picks as a part of any Rodgers trade package, as the team seeks to surround Jordan Love with as much talent as possible.

The Jets believe adding Rodgers makes them immediate Super Bowl contenders, but appear unwilling to part with any high draft capital either this year or in 2024 for a quarterback who may only play one more season. The Packers, although they face a massive salary cap hit for a 39-year old quarterback, are rumored to believe multiple high-round draft picks are fair market value.

If Atlanta goes on the clock at pick No. 44 next Friday night, with New York having made both of their selections, then this is a saga that will likely drag into the summer.