Where is aaron rodgers going

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Aaron Rodgers was traded from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets on April 24, 2023, in a deal that included the Jets sending the Packers a 2023 first-round pick (No. 13 overall), a 2023 second-round pick (No. 42), a 2024 second-round pick, and a conditional 2024 first-round pick that becomes a second-round pick if Rodgers plays less than 65% of snaps in 2023. He signed a revised contract with the Jets worth $75 million guaranteed over two years, including a $35 million signing bonus, and played the 2023 season with the Jets, though his season ended after just four snaps due to a torn Achilles tendon.

Key Facts

Traded to New York Jets on April 24, 2023
Jets sent Packers 2023 1st-round pick (No. 13), 2023 2nd-round pick (No. 42), 2024 2nd-round pick, and conditional 2024 1st-round pick
Signed revised contract with Jets worth $75 million guaranteed over two years
Played only 4 snaps in 2023 season due to torn Achilles tendon
Won 4 NFL MVP awards (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021) with Packers

Overview

Aaron Rodgers, one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history, spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers from 2005 to 2022, leading them to a Super Bowl XLV victory in the 2010 season and earning four NFL MVP awards (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021). During his tenure, he compiled remarkable statistics, including over 59,000 passing yards and 475 touchdown passes, while establishing himself as one of the most efficient passers ever with a career passer rating of 103.6. However, tensions emerged in recent years, particularly after the Packers selected quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, signaling a potential transition.

In the 2022 offseason, Rodgers signed a three-year, $150 million contract extension with the Packers, but speculation about his future intensified as he contemplated retirement and expressed dissatisfaction with the team's direction. After a 2022 season where the Packers missed the playoffs with an 8-9 record, Rodgers entered a "darkness retreat" in early 2023 to consider his options, ultimately deciding he wanted to continue playing but potentially elsewhere. This set the stage for a trade, with the New York Jets emerging as the primary suitor due to their need for an elite quarterback and aggressive pursuit.

How It Works

The trade and contract restructuring involved complex negotiations between the Packers, Jets, and Rodgers' representation, focusing on draft compensation, salary cap implications, and future commitments.

Key Point 1: Trade Compensation: The Jets acquired Rodgers by sending the Packers a 2023 first-round pick (No. 13 overall), a 2023 second-round pick (No. 42), a 2024 second-round pick, and a conditional 2024 first-round pick that converts to a second-round pick if Rodgers plays less than 65% of the Jets' offensive snaps in the 2023 season. This structure protected the Jets in case of injury or retirement, which proved prescient given Rodgers' Achilles tear.
Key Point 2: Contract Restructuring: Rodgers agreed to a revised contract with the Jets worth $75 million fully guaranteed over two years (2023 and 2024), down from his previous Packers deal. It included a $35 million signing bonus and reduced his 2023 cap hit to $8.88 million, helping the Jets manage their salary cap while adding talent around him. The deal also voided the 2025 and 2026 years, giving Rodgers flexibility after the 2024 season.
Key Point 3: Injury Impact: In the 2023 season opener on September 11, 2023, Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon after just four offensive snaps, ending his season prematurely. This injury had immediate consequences, triggering the conditional pick to become a second-rounder and raising questions about his recovery and future with the Jets, though he has expressed intent to return for the 2024 season.
Key Point 4: Team Dynamics: The trade reshaped both franchises: the Jets gained a veteran leader to mentor young players like Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, while the Packers committed to Jordan Love as their starter, who led them to the playoffs in 2023. Rodgers' presence also influenced Jets' personnel decisions, such as signing former Packers teammates like Allen Lazard and Billy Turner.

Key Comparisons

Feature	Green Bay Packers (2005-2022)	New York Jets (2023-Present)
Tenure Duration	18 seasons (2005-2022)	1+ seasons (2023 onward, injured in 2023)
Super Bowl Wins	1 (Super Bowl XLV in 2010 season)	0 (Jets last won Super Bowl III in 1968)
MVP Awards	4 (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021)	0 (with Jets so far)
Career Passer Rating	103.6 (with Packers)	N/A (minimal snaps in 2023)
Playoff Appearances	11 times with Packers	0 with Jets (missed playoffs in 2023)
Contract Value	$150 million extension in 2022	$75 million guaranteed over two years

Why It Matters

Impact 1: Franchise Transformation: Rodgers' move to the Jets represents a high-stakes gamble for a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2010, with his leadership expected to elevate a young roster and end the longest active playoff drought in the NFL (14 seasons as of 2023). If healthy, his experience could accelerate the development of players like Garrett Wilson, who had 1,103 receiving yards as a rookie in 2022.
Impact 2: Draft and Cap Strategy: The trade impacted both teams' draft capital and salary cap management; the Packers used the acquired picks to rebuild around Jordan Love, while the Jets leveraged Rodgers' reduced cap hit to sign key free agents. For example, the Jets' 2023 cap space allowed them to add players like Allen Lazard on a four-year, $44 million deal.
Impact 3: Legacy and Future: At age 40 (as of 2023), Rodgers' performance with the Jets will shape his legacy as he chases a second Super Bowl ring, while the Packers' success with Jordan Love could validate their decision to move on. His injury adds uncertainty, but a potential comeback in 2024 could redefine late-career narratives in the NFL.

Looking ahead, Rodgers' recovery from his Achilles injury will be closely watched, with reports indicating he aims to return for the 2024 season to fulfill his commitment to the Jets. If he can regain form, he has the potential to lead a playoff push and mentor the next generation, but if injuries persist, it may prompt retirement discussions. Meanwhile, the Packers' transition to Jordan Love offers a case study in quarterback succession, with his 2023 playoff appearance suggesting a bright future. Ultimately, this trade highlights the NFL's evolving dynamics of veteran mobility and team-building risks, setting the stage for compelling storylines in the coming years.