RODGERS WATCH: Likelihood Increasing for NFL Draft Night Trade between Jets and Packers

SI's Albert Breer gave optimistic outlook for Gang Green fans awaiting Aaron Rodgers' arrival

The Aaron Rodgers Jets’ jerseys could be in stores available for purchase by the end of the month if all goes according to Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer.

With the 2023 NFL Draft First Round (April 27) eight days away, Breer answered mailbag questions and naturally received an inquiry on the slow-developing Rodgers trade that may finally happen prior to, or around, the start of Round 2.

The belief amongst NFL analysts is that Gang Green will send one of its two 2023 second-round choices to the Green Bay Packers as part of the trade package. In order for Packers’ brass to use the draft pick, Rodgers would need to be on his way to the Jets no later than early in Round 2.

Settling on the second trade chip may be the reason for the perceived hold-up in negotiations.

The Jets reportedly want a built-in insurance policy should the Rodgers experiment fail, as Breer noted, “there needs to be some level of protection against injury or a downturn in play creating a situation like the one the Broncos are in now.”

Excerpt from Breer's latest mailbag:

From Antonio (@Antoniooo_92): Odds on Rodgers trade happening during the draft?

“Antonio, I’d say because a foundational piece of the trade will be the 42nd or 43rd pick, chances are very high that Rodgers will become a Jet between now and early Friday night.

This thing has been close for a few weeks now. And like I’ve said, at this point, it comes down to the people signing the checks. … Both teams, by the way, and the bosses who were there (Woody Johnson and Mark Murphy) are marked by the Brett Favre experience of 2008, one in which the Jets felt like they were used as a way station for Favre to get to Minnesota, while the Packers felt like they got played by their Hall of Fame quarterback. So eventually, both will have to get past that. ... Either way, this should be done for now. The fact that it isn’t shows that history does matter in a transaction as big as this one.”
-Albert Breer
(read full mailbag)

📬 @AlbertBreer’s mailbag leads with some thoughts on why the Panthers are prepared to take on a rookie quarterback https://t.co/US8StuKg8h

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 19, 2023

Even at 39 years old, and coming off one of his lesser statistical seasons, Rodgers instantly provides an upgrade for the Jets at quarterback. The four-time NFL MVP has reached the 4,000-yard passing mark in five of his last seven seasons while the Jets have witnessed only one such 4K performance in franchise history.

Rodgers has averaged 37 touchdown passes per campaign over the most-recent three-season stretch. Zach Wilson has connected on a total of 15 scoring strikes in 22 NFL starts.

The 2023 NFL Draft begins on April 27 with Round 1 selections. The second and thirds rounds will transpire on April 28 followed by Rounds 4 through 7 on April 29. 

The Jets currently own six total selections, including three top-43 picks, over the three-day event: 

Round 1 - No. 13 overall
Round 2 - No. 42 overall (from CLE)
Round 2 - No. 43 overall
Round 4 - No. 112 overall
Round 5 - No. 143 overall
Round 6 - No. 207 overall (from SF thru HOU) 

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