Given Aaron Rodgers’ Trade to the Jets Seeming Imminent, How Did Things Get to This Point?

Given recent rumors, NFL fans have been anticipating Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ trade to the New York Jets. With the QB’s 18-season tenure with the Packers closing, how did the relationship between the franchise and Superstar become so strained?  

The Packers’ Pattern of Coming up Short  

The ending of the 2022-2023 NFL season once again highlighted the consistency and all-time potential of the young superstar QB Patrick Mahomes, who took home the regular season MVP and the Super Bowl MVP for the second time in his short career.  

Meanwhile, Packers’ fans were left with a familiar bitter-tasting end to the season when they were presented with an opportunity to make the playoffs in a season-ending match-up against the division-rival Detroit Lions.  

Green Bay came up short in the demoralizing 20-16 home loss to Detroit, which eliminated them from playoff contention.  

Looking back to the 2021-22 season, the Packers were on course for a Super Bowl appearance given their impressive 13-4 record, which clinched them the one seed and a first-round bye.  

Although, this amounted to nothing as well because the Packers would lose to the two-seeded Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a keenly contested 31-26 home loss for the NFC Championship.  

Like a broken record, for the 2020-21 season, the Packers posted a division-best 13-3 regular season record, only to fall short again to the San Francisco 49ers in what was a conclusive 37-20 loss in the NFC Championship.  

With their recent pattern of losing when it matters most, the historic franchise is stuck at a crossroads needing to make a crucial decision.  

Rodgers’ Frustrations with the Packers  

The four-time MVP and Super Bowl MVP Quarterback has not been shy when voicing his frustrations with the team’s shortcomings as well as decisions.  

Two years ago, during a press conference held at Packers training camp on July 28, Rodgers expressed his want to be more involved in the conversations with upper management that affect what Rodgers does on the field.  

“I just want to be involved in conversations that affect my ability to do my job,” Rodgers said during the press conference.  

Many fans speculated whether this Rodgers’ statement referred to the team’s decision to select Utah State QB Jordan Love in the 2020 NFL Draft, which was filled with promising prospects at the wide receiver position, which at the time was a position in need for the team.  

Speaking with WBAY Sports News Anchor Dave Schroeder, who has covered the Packers for 11 years, attending press conferences and conducting locker-room interviews with players and coaches, he provided some close-up perspective into the developing end of the Rodgers and Green Bay saga.  

“The line of demarcation, for years he had an interesting relationship with Mike McCarthy, remarks about going all in to win the super bowl about Ted Thompson,” said Schroeder. “I do think drafting love changed things in his mind.”  

Later in the training camp press conference, Rodgers briefly mentioned his perceived mistreatment from management towards some of the team veterans.  

“I wanted to help the organization, maybe learn from some of the mistakes in the past, in my opinion, about how some of the outgoing veterans were treated,” said Rodgers. “And just the fact that we did not retain a number of players that I felt were core players due to our foundation, our locker room.”  

He even named some of the outgoing and core veterans he referenced.  

“I am talking about Charles Woodson, Jordy Nelson, Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews, Randall Cobb, James Jones,” said Rodgers.  

The video of Rodgers’ July 28 press conference from the Packer’s training camp can be found here on the Patriots Press Pass YouTube channel. 

Packers Media Perspective  

When asked whether Schroeder felt that people within the organization were anticipating a departure from Rodgers, he first referenced the game against Philadelphia, where Rodgers got injured, and how many fans instantly called the season off.  

“In Philly, when Rodgers got hurt, it looked like they would not make the playoffs, and people were ready to put in Love,” said Schroeder. “He started talking about things like If they want me back and two-way street.”   

“There had not been any talk before that,” he said.  

His take was that the relationship would not have gotten damaged the way it has if Rodgers had refrained from repeatedly teasing the idea of leaving the Packers to play elsewhere.  

“If Rodgers had come back and said he wanted to come back and take another shot at it,” he said. “If he had not done this whole song and dance the past three seasons, things would not have gotten to where they are.”  

Speaking to how bad the relationship has gotten between management and Rodgers, Schroeder referenced how Rodgers took to Instagram last year on Feb. 21, posting a thank you to workers and teammates within the organization, all but Packers President Mark Murphy and General Manager Brian Gutekunst.  

The Instagram post from Rodgers can be found here.  

“Aaron talked about he had nothing against Jordan Love,” said Schroeder. “He thanked everyone down to the equipment manager, so I do think it was a moment.”  

There is a lot to unpack here between some of the soundbites Rodgers has given the media and some of the decisions made by management.  

Now fans are left wondering which side deserves most of the blame for the QB’s imminent departure.  

Schroeder viewed the potential trade to the New York Jets as mutually desired by both Rodgers and Green Bay and that it would benefit both parties.  

“I think it is what they both want,” said Schroeder. “I do not know if you could assign a reason to a certain side.”  

When asked when he expects the trade to be finalized, Schroeder mentioned his expected time frame as well as the exciting possibility that Rodgers does not get traded within that period.  

“If I had to bet, I would bet before the draft starts,” said Schroeder. “If not, then we have a lot of fun as media members.”  

Once Rodgers is Gone  

Once the superstar QB is traded, how will Packers fans remember him?  

Many Packers fans still hold Brett Favre’s time spent with the franchise dearly in their heart, but will they view Rodgers the same way?  

These are some of the questions that will be asked of fans once he is gone; Schroeder gave his impression on the question.  

“I think the way that Mark Murphy quoted the late Ted Thompson, he is a complicated fella,” he said. “Fans would always think to themselves there would always be a lot of good football to watch.”  

“Every week, you thought you could win and win the super bowl every year,” he said.  

With all that said, only time will tell how this imminent blockbuster deal will work out for all parties involved.  

One thing is for sure, this developing story should make for good entertainment for all NFL fans watching.