Even before the Green Bay Packers traded four-time NFL MVP and future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, his new team started to stockpile individuals known to be among his “favorites.” Wide receiver Allen Lazard was signed to a four-year $44 million contract, and Nathaniel Hackett was hired as the offensive coordinator.

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Following the trade, the Jets added wide receiver Randall Cobb, offensive lineman Billy Turner, and safety Adrian Amos. In 2024, they traded for three-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, all in an effort to appease their star quarterback, and hopefully improve their roster.

And while Rodgers may have been happy playing with his friends, it did not translate to team success.

The New York Jets Are Moving on from Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers

Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks out onto the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher

The decision to trade Rodgers, of course, came after three years of drama involving the star quarterback following the selection of Jordan Love in the 2020 NFL Draft. From that moment on, everyone knew that his days in Green Bay were numbered.

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When the trade first went down, the Jets were praised for being so savvy while the Packers were branded as foolish. It did not take long, however, for both teams to prove the so-called experts wrong.

Love has led Green Bay to the postseason in each of his first two seasons, something Rodgers failed to do in his final season with the Packers. Meanwhile, the Jets went 12-22 over the last two years, with the future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback missing an entire season due to a torn Achilles.

Now the Packers are looking to improve their roster in order to compete for Super Bowls. The Jets are entering yet another rebuild, one that reportedly will not include the four-time NFL MVP despite his desire to return to New York.

The Aaron Rodgers Trade Has Proved Costly for the New York Jets

Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings
Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger

Due to the nature of the NFL, it is often said that one must wait a year or two (and maybe more) before one can accurately determine the “winner” of a trade.

This caution was thrown out the window by many following the Packers-Jets trade, with New York having been crowned the “winner” by many media personalities.

Now that two years have passed and the Jets have failed to improve (indeed, they regressed), it is clear that Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst knew what he was doing. And a recent report by Rich Cimini, who covers New York for ESPN, details just how badly the Jets were affected by the trade:

“The trade for Rodgers in 2023 wasn’t simply a one-player acquisition; it was an entire movement. Over the course of two seasons, the Jets surrounded him with three of his favorite wide receivers — Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams.

“Cobb retired last summer and now Adams and Lazard are likely headed for the exit. They probably will be released in the coming weeks.

“Green Bay Packers East will be history. It was costly.

“In terms of cash, owner Woody Johnson shelled out more than $111 million for the four players — Rodgers ($75 million), Lazard ($22 million), Adams ($11.6 million) and Cobb ($2.8 million). They combined for only 66 games played.

“In return, the Jets got Rodgers, Adams and a 2023 fifth-rounder, which was traded and parlayed into cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse and tight end Zack Kuntz — who had minimal contributions.

“Bottom line, the Jets went 12-22 in the Rodgers era. The trade made sense at the time, but the outcome was disastrous. Obviously, they couldn’t foresee his season-ending Achilles injury Game 1 in 2023. Would it have turned out differently if the injury hadn’t occurred? It’ll be one of the greatest what-ifs in Jets history.”

Rodgers will likely be a post-June 1 cut so that the Jets can spread out his dead cap hit over the course of two seasons, but the fact remains that New York will have roughly $64 million of dead cap space committed to Rodgers, Adams, and Lazard in 2025 (and part of it in 2026 if they cut him post-June 1).

Not only was the trade a disaster on the field, but it has set the Jets back years in terms of financial flexibility.