The Jets and Packers are on the clock.
The 2023 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and the Jets and Packers are seemingly no closer to a deal for Aaron Rodgers than they have been since Rodgers announced his intention to play for the Jets in mid-March.
But after weeks of inactivity on the trade front, the Packers and Jets have begun speaking again according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Rapoport says the hope is that a deal will get done at some point this week, perhaps before the first round of the draft on Thursday night.
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After a dormant couple weeks, the #Jets and #Packers recently re-engaged on trade talks surrounding star QB Aaron Rodgers, sources say. A deal is not imminent, but the two sides are at least talking — with hopes a deal can (finally) be done this week.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 23, 2023
Rapoport also adds that no deal is "imminent."
It might be pedantic, but it could be worth asking who called who in this situation. Debates surrounding trade leverage have raged on since the start of the Rodgers trade saga, so a report that the two sides are talking again could signal that one team may have caved to the other — or it may mean nothing at all.
Regardless, the teams have reportedly not seen eye-to-eye on potential trade compensation. The Packers have been steadfast in their desire for a first-round pick, while the Jets seemingly want some form of insurance should Rodgers decide not to play past the 2023 season.
MORE: If Aaron Rodgers isn't traded this week, then when may he go?
Before entering his highly publicized darkness retreat, Rodgers said he was "90 percent" leaning towards retirement. After emerging from the retreat, he had changed his mind, deciding to play this upcoming season. Owner Woody Johnson may have been spooked with Rodgers' retirement talk, leading to some of the delay in trade talks.
Rodgers made it clear that his intentions were both to play football in 2023, and to also play for the Jets. He may finally get his wish this week.
