Finally freed from comparisons to Brett Favre with the Packers, Aaron Rodgers now can be compared to Favre with the Jets.
Fifteen years after the Jets traded for Favre when he was displaced by a young Rodgers, the Jets traded for the 39-year-old Rodgers in the twilight of his career.
Rodgers spent 18 seasons with the Packers — two more than Favre.
“It is really ironic that our paths have taken another step in the same direction,” Rodgers said Wednesday at his introduction. “Brett and I had talked over the years about this transition and what it was like [for him]. But that was a different coaching staff, different GM, different circumstances. I’m excited about the opportunity with these guys and my new teammates.”
Rodgers said he and Favre have not specifically talked about Rodgers’ jump to the Jets.
“Aaron will do great,” Favre told ESPN. “He will handle the transition as well as anyone. [He’s a] very smart and instinctive person, on and off the field. In other words, you’re not going to catch him by surprise very often. And I think [he’s] the best at making everyone around him better. I would rather not bet at all than bet against him.”
Favre’s stint with the 2008 Jets started fast (8-3) and ended in disaster after Favre injured his shoulder. The team missed the playoffs with a 9-7 record, and head coach Eric Mangini was fired. Favre retired (for the second time) before returning again to play for the Vikings.
The Jets are hoping for a better (and longer) stint with Packers’ Icon II. Owner Woody Johnson didn’t want to draw comparisons.
Aaron Rodgers traded to the Jets
On Monday, after months of speculation and rumors, the Jets and Packers came to an agreement on a trade that brings four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to New York.
The trade immediately upgrades the Jets from rising team to playoff contender with the hopes that Rodgers will help break one of the longest active postseason droughts in sports.
The trade
The Jets receive: Aaron Rodgers, No. 15 pick (2023) and No. 170 pick (2023).
The Packers receive: No. 13 pick (2023), No. 42 pick (2023), No. 207 pick (2023) and a conditional second-round 2024 draft pick that conveys to a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65% of the Jets’ plays in 2023.
What comes next
The trade still needs to be finalized — the terms of Rodgers’ contract need to be worked out — and sent to the NFL.
Both teams will begin feeling this deal as early as Thursday at the 2023 NFL Draft.
For the Packers, it’s now about getting fourth-year QB Jordan Love ready to take over. With Gang Green, it’s about getting a whole host of new faces on the same page offensively.
“I really don’t think in those terms,” Johnson said. “I’m looking forward. I’m just so happy that the coach and general manager put something together that’s attractive to [Rodgers].”
But Johnson said he and former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum reminisced Tuesday about trading for Favre.
“You take each situation as it exists and try to get better,” Johnson said. “That [Favre trade] was a pretty interesting period, too. This is, I think, different in the way that it’s been a long time, and we’ve got a little more football knowledge than we had perhaps back then.”