Aaron Rodgers Posts Heartfelt Farewell to Green Bay on Instagram

Heading to the New York Jets after nearly two decades with the Packers, the decorated quarterback thanked fans and the organization that drafted him

Eighteen years is a long time in the professional sports world.

Athletes are lucky if their careers last half that length of time. Any pro who survives a full decade becomes a member of the fortunate few.

After all, the average National Football League player doesn't make it through Year 4. 

Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers' NFL career is old enough to vote. 

Not only has the New York Jets' new starting quarterback lasted 18 years in the professional ranks, he's spent them all with the same franchise. 

With Gang Green completing a trade for Rodgers, the 39-year old signal caller's 18-year marriage to the Green Bay Packers is over.

There aren't too many players out there who have lived an 18-year NFL career, never-mind finding one who spent nearly two full decades with the same team, especially in the age of free agency.

Appropriately reacting to the end of his long, fruitful relationship with the organization that drafted him in 2005, Rodgers expressed his gratitude while writing a heartfelt farewell to Green Bay and the team's loyal fans. He posted the message to his Instagram account along with 10 photos spanning his entire time as a Packer.

After becoming the Packers' full-time starter in 2008, when Brett Favre left for none other than the Jets, Rodgers went on to win a Super Bowl, four NFL MVP awards and eight division titles (11 playoff appearances).

Reflecting upon his storied Green Bay tenure, Rodgers wrote, "I’m not sure it’s possible to fully express the gratitude that I have to the @packers , our incredible fans, the state of Wisconsin, the thousands of players that I crossed paths with, the incredible men and women who work for the organization, and the amazing people who I got to meet along the way, in one post with 10 pictures, but I hope you read this and feel my heart and soul, filled with love, joy, and peace about my time in green and gold. I grew up in Green Bay, drafted at 21, fell in love with the game, met some lifelong friends, and take with me memories that will last a lifetime. ... " 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aaron Rodgers (@aaronrodgers12)

Rodgers is expected in New Jersey for an introductory press conference tomorrow (April 26) at 2:00 pm ET. 

The Jets and Packers agreed to a trade deal involving the future Hall-of-Famer on Monday, three days prior to the start of the 2023 NFL Draft (April 27-29). 

Gang Green acquired Rodgers and two 2023 draft selections (No. 15, No. 170)  in exchange for a four-pick package that was sent to Green Bay. 

The Packers' haul features the No. 13, No. 42 and No. 207 overall selections in the 2023 NFL Draft along with a conditional 2024 pick (second-rounder that becomes a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65 percent of snaps in 2023).

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