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AROUND THE SHIELD — The New York Jets kicked off the blockbuster trade of the 2023 NFL offseason when it sent quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, pairing the four-time MVP with former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson.
We broke down Monday what Rodgers' move to the Jets means for Wilson, the Corner Canyon High product who struggled for a variety of reasons in his second season in the league.
But Jets general manager Joe Douglas said Wilson still has a place with the team, and the soon-to-be third-year quarterback doesn't appear to be on the trade block as New York completed the deal and introduced Rodgers to the media on Wednesday to sign the signal caller who made $59.5 million last year.
"I feel like this is going to be a great thing for Zach," Douglas said Tuesday during a pre-draft press conference at the Jets' practice facility. "Zach's ceiling is unlimited, and no one works harder or loves ball more than Zach Wilson. ... Him having the opportunity to shadow and be with a first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback every day, every hour he's in the building, is an opportunity and a great experience."
But what about the other side of the trade?
In the days since ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news, media outlets have attempted to grade the decision in favor of the Packers or Jets.
ESPN's Seth Walder, for example, gave the Packers an A- for the trade, while the Jets were graded at a C. Only time will tell which side sees the biggest benefit, but the biggest winner on the Green Bay side may be Jordan Love.
The former Utah State standout with just one start in 10 games played the last two regular seasons is set to take over for Rodgers, much the same way Rodgers replaced Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre with the same organization.
Jordan Love enters the game at QB. #GBvsPHIpic.twitter.com/NAhrB8SYgO
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 28, 2022
The Packers can only hope the transition goes as well, despite a lackluster 2022 season by Rodgers' lofty standards.
Two years after Green Bay drafted Love late in the first round, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound signal caller has been a 60% passer with 606 total yards and three touchdowns to go along with three interceptions.
Love, who would be Green Bay's first Week 1 starter not named Favre or Rodgers since 1993, had some measure of success in spot duty in 2022, including throwing for 113 yards on 6-of-9 passing with a 63-yard touchdown toss to rookie Christian Watkins in the Packers' 40-33 loss to NFC champion Philadelphia in Week 12.
He's also stepping into a good position, with an experienced offensive line anchored by Pro Bowl left tackle David Bakhtiari and left guard Elgton Jenkins, as well as a backfield that includes Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon.
Those inside and outside the organization feel it's time for Love to take the next step in his career progression.
"We're really excited where Jordan can go," Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said during a pre-draft media call. "He needs to play. Having him sit another year I think would have really delayed where we're going and what we're trying to build."
Love has the hard work, dedication and patience — as well as the all-encompassing "it factor" — required to succeed in the NFL, Gutekunst added.
"He flashed a bit in the preseason and the limited action he had last season, but the sample is tiny," wrote Ted Nguyen of Love for The Athletic. "The Packers defense underachieved last season, but they have talent. The offensive line can be good if they stay healthy and receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs will be coming into their second seasons. They have a good roster, but we'll see how Love performs in his first season as a starter."
Love also has the approval of the starter he is replacing, especially after Rodgers saw writing on the wall in the latter stages of his two-decade career in northern Wisconsin.
"They're ready to move on with Jordan. That's awesome," Rodgers told The Pat McAfee Show after the season. "Jordan is going to be a great player. He's a (expletive) great kid. He had a really great year this year, getting better on the (scout) team. He's got a bright future in front of him. They have a good young team. … They're ready to move on, and so am I."
But in the "break glass, in case of emergency" scenario that Love doesn't pan out as a starting quarterback, the Packers may be moving on at the right time from a Rodgers era that soured near the end.
If Green Bay needs to go quarterback shopping in the 2024 draft, they'll be going into the annual event with a clear eye on the top rookie signal callers next year.
That will likely include reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, who will be a junior at USC but is expected to enter the draft as one of the top targets at the position in a decade, and North Carolina star Drake May, who Pro Football Focus gave the highest deep-passing grade (97.5) in college football in 2022, as well as several other stars that will no-doubt break out during the 2023 college season.
The Packers added several draft picks from New York in the trade, including a conditional second-round pick that becomes a first-round selection if Rodgers plays at least 65% of the Jets' offensive plays.
And for the Jets, it's a chance — and a price — they felt they couldn't afford to pass up.
"Aaron's one of the best quarterbacks to ever play this game," Douglas said. "To have an opportunity to add a player of that caliber, you're always going to look into it and how he fits into the culture of the team."
