Now that the deal is done, let’s answer some questions:
What took so long?
Monday was 40 days since Rodgers declared his intention was to play for the Jets.
The problem was the two teams could not agree on a trade and there really was no deadline to move things along.
This week’s NFL draft was a soft deadline for the Packers, who wanted to acquire picks in this year’s draft.
Who won the trade?
This is going to be widely debated over the next few days.
The truth is we won’t know for at least a year.
If Rodgers leads the Jets to a division title and the AFC Championship game and then returns for the 2024 season, this trade looks much different than if they go 9-8, miss the playoffs and he retires.
The Jets gave up a lot and are taking a gamble here, but if he ends years of miserable football, isn’t it worth it?
What happens with his contract?
It is clear that Rodgers is going to rework his contract now that a trade has been agreed to by the teams.
He is scheduled to make just under $60 million this season.
Expect that number to come way down as Rodgers helps the Jets build a team around him.
Follow The Post’s coverage of Aaron Rodgers being traded to the Jets
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- Serby: Aaron Rodgers changes everything for Jets
- Meet Aaron Rodgers’ rumored girlfriend
- Jets GM: Trade is ‘historic’ for franchise
When will Rodgers be on the field with the Jets?
Once the trade becomes official, Rodgers can come to New Jersey and begin working with the team.
He has stayed away from the voluntary portion of the spring program in Green Bay in recent years.
No one is sure what his approach will be with his new team.
The Jets began offseason workouts last week.
They don’t start OTA practices until May 22.
That is when teams can conduct real practices with offense versus defense.
Rodgers knows the offense — new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett came to the Jets after a successful run with Rodgers in Green Bay — so that is not a concern, but the Jets surely would love to see him buy in and start developing chemistry with his new teammates.
Are the Jets a Super Bowl contender with Rodgers?
Deep breaths, Jets fans.
While there is no doubt the Jets are now a much better team than they were with Zach Wilson at quarterback, I don’t think this elevates the Jets into the top tier of the AFC, where the Chiefs, Bills and Bengals live.
I do think the Jets are now in the next tier and anything short of a playoff berth will be a massive disappointment.
Speaking of Wilson, what does this mean for him?
This is probably about as good of an outcome for Wilson as possible after losing his hold on the starting quarterback job.
He has a prior relationship with Rodgers and the 39-year-old quarterback has spoken highly of Wilson.
Rodgers was not known as the mentoring type in Green Bay, but he won’t be threatened by Wilson and the Jets believe Rodgers will do what he can to help Wilson.
Even if Rodgers does show up for the spring, he won’t get 100 percent of the reps and that will help Wilson.
The same will hold true when preseason games come around.
Wilson should play all of those games with Rodgers watching from the sideline with a headset on.
