Packers-Jets aren't close to completing Rodgers trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Aaron Rodgers has made it clear, he intends to play for the New York Jets in 2023.
And Chicago Bears fans rejoice.
But apparently the Green Bay Packers and Jets aren't close to completing a trade.
"Negotiations can change just like that, but my understanding is the two sides as of last night were not close to completing a deal," ESPN's Adam Schefter said on Get Up. And the Green Bay Packers aren't going to be in a rush to get something done until they feel like they get sufficient compensation for the player that believes he is the greatest player in Packers franchise history.
"You're talking about a three time MVP there, a four time MVP. And they believe that there's a premium to be paid for that."
Now this is where there are conflicting reports. Earlier in the week, Schefter said the Packers were looking for multiple first-round picks.
Then NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said the Packers aren't looking for multiple first-round picks.
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Schefter double-downed on the multiple first-round picks again on Thursday, but clarifying it's what has been discussed inside the Packers building but not formally requested.
"When you look at the landscape of what other quarterbacks in recent trades in recent years have fetched, it has been a lot," Schefter said. "What did the Broncos give up for Russell Wilson? Multiple ones. What are the Rams give up for Matthew Stafford? Multiple ones.
"Not every quarterback has been traded for a package like that, but those conversations have occurred in the Packers building. Never said the Packers asked for that. But they've talked about that as an organization.
"And now the question is, what can they realistically extract from the Jets?"
Schefter, as he did earlier in the week, pointed to the Packers-Jets trade for Brett Favre, which included a conditional fourth-round pick. But he frames it as the Jets' perspective on value in the trade.
"The Jets would think that that's closer to the value that should be paid for a 39-year-old quarterback who's on a year to year basis who, oh, by the way, also has a $110 million in guaranteed money due to him over the next two years," Schefter said. "So if they're taking on that money and they would restructure the contract, then that should lower the compensation, not increase it. So both sides have their claims."
But if the Packers are thinking multiple first-round picks, despite not asking for it, and the Jets are thinking a single, conditional Day 3 pick... clearly the sides are far apart.
Schefter even said it could fall apart because both sides are dug in on their asks.
Rodgers himself said it was the Packers holding up the deal during his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
"I haven't been holding anything up at this point," Rodgers said. "It's been compensation that the Packers are trying to get for me and kind of digging their heels."
This might drag on for a while.
