Latest buzz on Aaron Rodgers: Packers 'holding out' for three Jets draft picks

The Jets have interest in trading for Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. Here's the latest buzz...

April 13, 11:35 a.m.

The Jets and Packers have been at a standstill on the Aaron Rodgers front for a while now and Yahoo NFL reporter Charles Robinson indicated haggling over Green Bay's asking price as the source of the holdup.

“The Packers are holding out for what they want right now,” Robinson said on the Wilde & Tausch show on ESPN Radio in Milwaukee on Wednesday. “And that’s a problem, I think, with the Jets and more specifically with Jets ownership.”

Robinson relayed Green Bay’s current asking price for the quarterback as a 2023 second-round draft pick, a “straight-shot” 2024 first-round draft pick (without conditions attached to it) and a conditional 2025 draft pick that would be returned to New York if Rodgers does not play in 2024.

However, Robinson said, there is a reluctance within the Jets organization to give up a first-round pick in the deal for Rodgers.

The conversations between the two teams have cooled in recent weeks, with ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday reporting, "There hasn’t been a whole lot of conversation, if any, over the last couple of weeks, going back to the owner's meetings" in late March. Schefter added the standoff could continue after the NFL Draft (April 27 - 29).

April 12, 10:26 a.m.

Things can change in an instant, but for now, it seems like Jets fans shouldn’t be expecting the deal for Aaron Rodgers to be completed in the immediate future.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter, speaking on his podcast, explained that the standoff between the Jets and Packers could continue not just up until the draft, but even beyond it.

“We are now two weeks away from the draft, and there has been, by my estimate, little if any contact between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets,” Schefter said. “So, the trade that everybody seems to be waiting to get done is not any closer to happening right now as the draft draws closer. And while it looks like this is a situation that could heat up and escalate as the draft kicks off, there are no assurances that will happen either. Green Bay seems quite content to wait until after the draft to make a trade, and the New York Jets are very happy to use the picks that they have and not trade them to Green Bay, and both sides seem to be stuck in, dug in, and very stubborn in their own stances about what Aaron Rodgers is and isn’t worth.

“And so, this standoff that has been going on for weeks now looks like it’s going to go on for a little while longer. We just don’t know whether it will get wrapped up by or during the draft. It doesn’t sound that way now, but that could just be tough talk from both sides, and one conversation could change that.”

The Jets currently have three picks in the first two days of the draft, owning the 13th, 42nd (from Cleveland) and 43rd picks in the first two rounds.

April 11, 3:07 p.m.

Packers president Mark Murphy wouldn't discuss much about the Rodgers situation when asked by reporters, but he did note that talks are ongoing.

"I can't really get into that," Murphy said. "I know Brian and Joe have been talking."

Brian and Joe are of course Packers GM Brian Gutekunst and Jets GM Joe Douglas, who have been discussing the potential deal for weeks.

Speaking in March, Jets owner Woody Johnson expressed confidence that a trade for Rodgers will eventually be completed.

"We’re pretty confident we can get something done," Johnson told reporters at the NFL owners meetings.

March 27, 8:45 p.m.

The Jets including their first-round pick is not a dealbreaker in a trade for Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said on Monday.

Speaking at the NFL annual league meeting, Gutekunst said there are ways the trade could get done without the Jets including the No. 13 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

"That's not a necessity," he told reporters, via ESPN. "I think fair value for the player is important. There's risks to all this. But again, I'm hopeful, I'm confident that we'll be able to reach a conclusion at some point."

Earlier on Monday, Jets GM Joe Douglas declined to get into specifics about which draft picks the two sides had discussed.

Both Gutekunst and Douglas said Monday that no deadline had been set to execute a trade and the two did speak briefly at the meetings in Phoneix.

"There’s no hard deadline here’s not a ton of urgency from our standpoint," Douglas said. "But very optimistic."

The Packers GM added that he has not ruled out that it could take into the summer to finalize a deal. If Green Bay waits until after June 1 they would miss out on any draft compensation for this year, but it would allow them to spread some of the salary cap hit from trading Rodgers to the 2024 season.

Gutekunst said "it's not trending" in the direction of Rodgers playing for the Packers again and he is hopeful everybody gets what they want.

"Right now, all options are on the table," he said. "I think, and we're very hopeful that we can facilitate this and get this accomplished. But he's come back under certain circumstances before where he wasn't the happiest with everything going on and played very well.

"We'll just see how all this transpires and, I think it's trending, hopefully, in the right direction for what everybody wants."

March 15, 1:22 p.m.

Rodgers said he "made it clear" this past Friday that his intention is to play for the Jets.

"At this point, as I sit here, I think since Friday I made it clear that my intention was to play and my intention was to play for the New York Jets," Rodgers said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. "And I haven’t been holding anything up at this point, it’s been compensation that the Packers are trying to get for me and kind of digging their heels in."

Added Rodgers:

"I would like to play in New York."

March 12, 10:15 a.m.

Aaron Rodgers spoke with former NFL WR Brandon Marshall for the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast and said that "it won't be long" until he makes his decision on his future.

"Stay tuned ... I think it won't be long," Rodgers said. "There's a time limit for all this."

Marshall also asked Rodgers how his meeting with Jets owner Woody Johnson went earlier in the week, to which the QB said, "It's always interesting meeting important figures in the sport, it's always interesting."

SNY's Connor Hughes reported on Saturday that the Jets and Green Bay Packers have “worked out what needs to be worked out” and everything that needs to be done to make a trade work is "essentially done."

"So if Rodgers wants to be a Jet, he will be a Jet," Hughes tweeted Saturday morning.

March 11, 9:55 a.m.

The Jets and Green Bay Packers have “worked out what needs to be worked out” and everything that needs to be done to make a trade for quarterback Aaron Rodgers work is “essentially done,” per SNY’s Connor Hughes.

"So if Rodgers wants to be a Jet, he will be a Jet," Hughes tweeted Saturday morning.

This comes a day after the president of the Packers, Mark Murphy, said the team would find a resolution that works for both the team and the veteran quarterback. The team indicated they would honor a trade request, so it seems both sides are waiting on Rodgers to make a decision.

March 10, 4:42 p.m.

Packers President Mark Murphy spoke publicly on the Aaron Rodgers situation on a telecast of Girls State Basketball Tournament and confirmed the team will honor the quarterback's trade request if he wants it.

Murphy also confirmed that the Packers gave the Jets permission to speak to Rodgers. He also said they expect a resolution by the start of free agency, which begins Wednesday, Mar. 15 at 4 p.m. ET.

"We are really hopeful we can find a resolution that works for Aaron and works for us," Murphy said. "It's about finding what he wants, and what we want. And hopefully it can be a win-win"

Murphy was also asked whether there's a scenario Rodgers returns to play for the Packers.

"Yeah, I mean unless, if things don't work out the way we want them, yeah, we would," Murphy said. "He is obviously a great player."

Teams are able to speak with free agents two days before the official start of free agency during the legal tampering period on Monday, Mar. 13.

March 9, 9:56 a.m.

The Jets are "internally working under an optimism" that they'll acquire Rodgers, reports Dianna Russini of ESPN.

Per ESPN, the Jets and Packers are still engaged in conversations about potential compensation and Rodgers' contract.

SNY's Connor Hughes has reported that the Packers will do what Rodgers wants, whether that's staying in Green Bay, retiring, or trading him.

The Jets completed their visit in California with Rodgers on Tuesday night, per Hughes.

The contingent that met with Rodgers consisted of owner Woody Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, and team president Hymie Elhai.

March 8, 9:26 a.m.

The Jets received permission from the Packers earlier on Tuesday to discuss a potential trade, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

The two sides also spoke on Monday, per SNY's Connor Hughes.

According to Hughes, the Packers haven't wavered in their stance with Rodgers, and are "going to do what he wants," whether that's a return to Green Bay, a trade, or retirement.

The Jets are focused on Rodgers -- who has always been their top QB target -- after Derek Carr agreed to sign a deal with the New Orleans Saints.

March 6, 9:42 a.m.

The Jets remain involved on the Rodgers front, reports ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

However, Rodgers' contract -- he is owed $59 million during the 2023-24 season -- is viewed as a roadblock, with Gang Green perhaps wanting the Packers to eat some of the money in a trade.

As ESPN's Rich Cimini notes, Rodgers said in January that he would be willing to adjust his contract.

In addition to Rodgers, the Jets are in the Derek Carr sweepstakes, recently holding multiple meetings with the free agent.

It was reported by ESPN on Sunday night that Carr has a "slight lean" toward the Jets over the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints.

March 1, 10:05 a.m.

Rodgers appeared as a guest on the Aubrey Marcus Podcast released Wednesday, and said that he'll "make a decision soon enough" on his future.

Rodgers spoke at length about his thought process to the decision, even saying that he doesn't want it to be like former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre's retirement and un-retirement process.

"It's best for anybody who has an interest in this to make a decision sooner rather than later," Rodgers said. "I remember before Favre retired, there were times in April and May, we weren't sure if he was going to come back because he didn't come to any of the offseason program. Then in 2008, he actually did retire in March and then said, 'No, no, no,' in June after OTAs, 'I actually want to come back and play.' That's when he was traded to the Jets.

"There was obviously a lot of tension that summer. For everybody involved direct and indirectly, it's best for a decision earlier. I feel really good about the conversations that are going to be had, that have been had with important people in my life."

Rodgers added: "There's a finality to the decision. I don't make it lightly. I don't want to drag anybody around ... I'll make a decision soon enough and we'll go down that road. I'll be really excited about it."

The 39-year-old recently went on a "darkness retreat" to help decide if he will retire or continuing playing football, he said during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

If the four-time MVP decides to continue playing, he is expected to be the Jets' top quarterback target this offseason, per SNY's Connor Hughes.

However, Jets GM Joe Douglas said at the NFL Combine that the team would like to make a decision on their future QB "sooner rather than later." Douglas has to figure out if "the chance of potentially getting Rodgers is better than signing [Derek] Carr right now," Hughes notes.

Feb. 23, 9:10 a.m.

Aaron Rodgers has emerged from his "darkness retreat," the owner of the Oregon facility told ESPN.

Rodgers hasn't decided whether he wants to continue playing, which is part of the reason why he entered the retreat, he said during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

"That’s why I think it’s going to be important to get through this week and take my isolation retreat and contemplate all things my future," Rodgers said.

Rodgers is expected to be the Jets' top quarterback target this offseason, per SNY's Connor Hughes.

Feb. 12, 3:22 p.m.

In a move that comes as no surprise, the Jets have inquired about Rodgers' availability with the Packers, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Rodgers said recently that he'll be going on a "darkness retreat," where he will spend four nights alone to think about his football future.

Feb. 7, 4:24 p.m.

The Las Vegas Raiders have been linked to Rodgers.

Hughes added that "the belief, according to multiple sources, is that the Packers plan to do whatever Rodgers asks them to do. They’ll welcome him back if he wants to come back as fast as they’ll trade him if he prefers new scenery. There are some within Green Bay’s building who are operating and expecting Rodgers to be their quarterback next year."

Feb. 2, 4:25 p.m.

Before teeing off on Thursday at a celebrity golf tournament, Rodgers was asked if there was any news he wanted to share. And Rodgers had some.

"Not going to San Fran," Rodgers said about the possibility of him winding up with the 49ers.

The Niners expect Jimmy Garoppolo to leave via free agency, but will have Trey Lance and Brock Purdy. Purdy tore his UCL during the NFC Title game, but is expected to be ready in time for the regular season.

Even if the 49ers were in need, it's difficult to envision the Green Bay Packers trading Rodgers there.

Feb. 1, 9:57 a.m.

Rodgers addressed the rumors swirling around him during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, saying he hasn't yet decided whether he'll return to play next season.

"It sounds like there’s already conversations going on that aren’t involving me, which are interesting," Rodgers said about his potential future in Green Bay.

"I’m not a part of those conversations right now," Rodgers added. "When I make up my mind one way or the other, you guys and the Packers and everyone else will know at some point.”

Rodgers also praised new Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett, who was Rodgers' OC with the Packers from 2019 to 2021.

"Love Hack. Hack is my guy. Love him and Megan and the kids," Rodgers said. "They’re really special to me. We really bonded when he was in Green Bay. He made it fun. He made the room fun. He made the weeks fun."

Jan. 29, 10:47 a.m.

Green Bay “prefers to move on” from Rodgers, who is “well aware of the Packers’ feeling on the situation,” reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Schefter cites financial implications, the overall state of the franchise, and the feelings between the team and Rodgers as reasons they want to move on.

Jan. 26, 5:53 p.m.

SNY's Connor Hughes reported that the Jets hiring Nathaniel Hackett as their new OC gives the team "a direct line" to Rodgers.

Hackett was Rodgers' OC with the Packers from 2019 to 2021, which included years where Rodgers won back-to-back MVP awards.

Wrote Hughes:

You think the 43-year-old Hackett turned down collecting millions while sunning himself on the beach to deal with the pressure of being an offensive coordinator for a team under a playoff mandate with the only quarterbacking assurances being a veteran-to-be-named-later?

Hell no.

And he’s not signing on for Ryan Tannehill or Jimmy Garoppolo, either. The only way Hackett risks further damage to his reputation if he knows a guy he can win with is on the way. Sure, that player could be the Raiders’ Derek Carr. But Carr is a consolation prize.