Nearly two weeks after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers announced his intention to play for the Jets next season, the two teams appear no closer to completing a trade for the four-time MVP. According to reports, the major sticking point is the 13th pick in next month’s draft. The Packers want it; the Jets don’t want to give it up. So unless one of the GMs is willing to give in, these negotiations have the potential to drag on for quite a while, which isn’t good for either franchise.
The best and perhaps the only way for GMs Brian Gutekunst and Joe Douglas to break the current impasse is to get a little creative. If neither Rodgers for a first-round pick this year nor Rodgers for a second-round pick this year and a conditional pick or picks in 2024 is palatable to either side, here are a trio of proposals that might be somewhat more appealing:
🤝PROPOSAL #1
GREEN BAY: Acquires No. 1 pick in 2023; conditional pick in 2024
NEW YORK: Acquires quarterback Aaron Rodgers and tackle Yosh Nijman
The Jets are most likely targeting one of the top three tackles at 13, so maybe they’d be willing to accept Nijman. While the 27-year-old doesn’t possess the upside of Ohio State’s Paris Johnson, Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski, or Georgia’s Broderick Jones, unlike the three rookies, he’s a proven commodity. That should be appealing to the Jets, who will need to win right away with the 39-year-old Rodgers at quarterback. As for the Packers, trading Nijman would clear over $4 million in cap space. On the field, impressive second-year pro Zach Tom could step in at right tackle, where he played 84 more than competent snaps as a rookie in 2022. Gutekunst could also utilize the 13th pick on Johnson, Skoronski, or Jones.
🤝PROPOSAL #2
GREEN BAY: Acquires No. 2 pick in 2023; No. 2 pick in 2023; tight end Jeremy Ruckert
NEW YORK: Acquires quarterback Aaron Rodgers; No. 3 pick in 2023
The Jets traded wide receiver Elijah Moore to the Browns on Wednesday, giving them the 42nd and 43rd picks in the second round. Would that be enough to persuade Gutekunst to drop his demand for the 13th pick? Maybe. To make the offer more enticing, Douglas could throw in Ruckert, a second-year tight end with some upside. The former Ohio State star is behind veterans C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin in New York, but he’d immediately become TE1 or TE2 in Green Bay. The Jets gave up their third-round pick in the Moore trade, so they’d probably like to get a third-round pick back from the Packers. Otherwise, Douglas wouldn’t select between No. 13 and No. 112, a gap that would make any GM very uncomfortable.
🤝PROPOSAL #3
GREEN BAY: Acquires No. 2 pick in 2023; outside linebacker Jermaine Johnson II
NEW YORK: Acquires quarterback Aaron Rodgers
This particular deal would only work if Gutekunst likes Johnson, the 26th overall pick in last year’s draft. The former Florida State standout had a decent rookie campaign and would add much-needed depth at outside linebacker right away and could replace aging and expensive Preston Smith in the near future. Just as importantly, Johnson is under contract for at least three more seasons at reasonable numbers. His cap hit is $2.9M in 2023. While it’s doubtful that Douglas would be anxious to give away a talented second-year player with the potential to produce eight to 10 sacks per season, the Jets are reasonably deep at the position, and as the old saying goes, you have to give something to get something.
I tried to figure out a trade that would send a wide receiver to the Packers, but that became very difficult once Moore was dealt to Cleveland. While Corey Davis would fit nicely in Green Bay, his contract is way too pricey, and it’s hard to imagine him restructuring his deal to play with an unproven quarterback (Jordan Love). Davis would be much better off waiting to be released so that he could choose his next destination. Would Gutekunst be interested in 2020 second-round pick Denzel Mims, a far less accomplished but much cheaper pass catcher? Maybe, but he’d be more of a throw-in.
Jets have some solid pieces on the team, but receiver is one of the areas they aren’t great. I’d much rather have picks than Corey Davis or Mims.
I wouldn’t mind getting the Jets’ two second-round picks. It would give the Packers picks 42, 43, and 45. If Gutekunst trades back from 15, he could have as many as four picks in the second round. Of course, whether he uses them to get an Elgton Jenkins or a Josh Jackson is anyone’s guess.
the media is reporting that the Jets have offered pick #42 to Green Bay. i am thinking that that offer will be sweetened as fall approaches.
I think if you substitute Nijman with Bakhtiari in you’re first scenario that would make more sense. Although I don’t know cap wise if the Jets could make that work. Regardless, Bakhtiari gets cut after next season and the Packers may also want the 13th pick for a LT. I’m not convinced Tom is the answer at LT and I think Nijman can be a quality RT I’d want to keep. It’s interesting you bring up Denzel Mims. He was one of those WR’s in the mix in the first round for the Packers that ultimately went for Jordan Love back in 2020. Along with DJ Hamler, Chase Claypool, and Tee Higgins. With Higgins the only accomplished WR out of the group. Bakhtiari, one of Rodgers buddies, would give Rodgers yet another reason to return for a second year with the Jets should the first year be a positive experience. And from a draft compensation perspective, Packer fans would want that.
I’d love to move Bakhtiari, but the Packers didn’t hand him a $15M roster bonus just to trade him a few weeks later.
I would be absolutely delighted with any of these options. What I’m worried about is that these may be too optimistic. If Gutey’s not asking for a first and the Jets still aren’t going for it I’m wondering if a 2nd this year is what the dispute is about. I think the Packers desperately need to get a 2nd out of this. They’re going to need to get three quality players out of this draft who can contribute immediately: a safety or corner, a tight end, and either a WR or OL.
Totally love the third option getting Johnson and a second this year for Rodgers would b crazy awesome cuz Johnson could b Gary 2.0 and take over for Preston smith easily. And on cheap contract which then would trade Preston next season. That way can get a wr edge rusher and te in those first three picks that would b solid compensation for Rodgers and think lost would b happy with that as well. Can only hope