After months of trade talks between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets, the Aaron Rodgers trade finally went through on April 23. The trade sends 4-time MVP and Super Bowl Champion Rodgers and 2 draft picks to the New York Jets in exchange for 4 draft picks. 

The finalization of this trade ended months-long speculation, but also brought almost unlimited possibilities for the next season. This trade could bring the New York Jets into Super Bowl contention for the first time since Super Bowl III. Also, the trade brings the Packers a new quarterback for the first time in over 30 years.

Before the start of the 2022 season, the Packers–though they had great regular season team success with Aaron Rodgers at the helm–struggled mightily in the playoffs. In three years, after going a combined 39-10 record and Rodgers winning MVP two times, Green Bay mustered only a combined 2-3 playoff record. This culminated into an all-or-nothing season for the Packers this past season, meaning the team goes to the Super Bowl or changes would need to be made. 

The season was a disappointment for Rodgers too, as he did not perform even close to his MVP form; both of his passing yardage and touchdown statistics dropped. This contributed to the team management and Rodger’s decision to part ways. Even though the terms of the deal took a few months to set, the trade became official a few weeks ago.

“Great players are gonna come and they are gonna go,” Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Guntekunst said, via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. “It’s part of the National Football League. But you’ve got to be prepared to continue to add good football players to your roster so that your team can win.”

Even though the trade moved only one player at this moment, the possible impacts of the transaction are notable. Most immediately, the Jets, who struggled last year with their quarterback, Zach Wilson, now have an opportunity to make the playoffs for the first time in over 10 years.

“At that point, I felt like this is where I was supposed to be,” Rodgers said to The Athletic. “I really try and listen to the signs and synchronicities that the universe puts in our face every day, and this was basically the direction that everything was pointing.”