The NFL Draft moment that could end trade saga

NFL

By Jaclyn Hendricks

April 3, 2023 | 3:13pm

Jets fans may have to wait a little longer for Aaron Rodgers.

With speculation running rampant as to when the Packers and Jets will strike a deal over the 39-year-old quarterback, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio suggested Monday how the opening days of the 2023 NFL Draft — which begins Thursday, April 27 — could be a targeted trade deadline.

Florio posits “the ultimate deadline, if the Packers are intent on getting one or more 2023 draft picks from the Jets, will be the moment the desired pick is on the clock.”

Given Green Bay has allegedly walked back on its demand for the Jets’ No. 13 overall pick as part of the package for Rodgers, their attention could potentially turn to the Jets’ second-round selections of Nos. 42 and 43.

Both of those picks will be announced on Friday, April 28, which Florio noted, “is the earliest day that makes sense.”

“If one of the picks will be one of the Jets’ second-round selections (which likely will be the case), the clock strikes midnight at some point on Friday night, April 28,” he said.

However, there’s always the possibility the Rodgers saga extends into the summer.

Florio said “the Packers could be inclined to wait until after June 1, in order to dramatically reduce the 2023 cap hit,” whereas the Jets “could be tempted to play it out until the start of training camp.”

If Rodgers is traded after June 1, he will account for a dead cap hit of $15.8 million for 2023 versus $40.3 million if traded before, according to Spotrac.

The Packers and Jets have been locked in a standoff over compensation for Rodgers, who said in March how he intends to play for New York in 2023.

Florio previously said he believes the Jets will give up a 2023 second-rounder to the Packers, as well as a 2024 second-rounder that could become a first, pending if Rodgers reaches certain goalposts in his first year out of Green Bay.

Rodgers spent the first 18 seasons of his NFL career in Green Bay, where he won one Super Bowl and four league MVPs.

As of Monday afternoon, “Rodgers Watch” continues.