Before he could even make his first completion for the New York Jets, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was injured on a sack in Week 1’s Monday Night Football battle against the Buffalo Bills. The Jets had Super Bowl aspirations with Rodgers on their roster, with their trade for him highlighting one of the biggest moves in franchise history.
Beyond the Jets missing Rodgers’ on-field presence, his injury will affect the trade compensation between the Jets and Green Bay Packers. We dive into the details below.
Impact of Aaron Rodgers’ Injury on Jets’ 2024 First-Round Pick
The Packers got an impressive haul for the 39-year-old former franchise star.
New York desperately sought a new face of their franchise, so they were willing to trade their 2023 first-round pick (No. 13), a 2023 second-round pick (No. 42) and 2023 sixth-round pick (No. 207), and a conditional second-round pick in 2024 that becomes a first-round pick if Rodgers plays 65% of snaps in 2023 for Rodgers and the Packers’ 2023 first-round pick (No. 15) and a 2023 fifth-round pick (No. 170).
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Unfortunately for the Jets and a rejuvenated Rodgers, who was as bubbly as he’s been in years with his new franchise, he suffered an Achilles tear that will sideline him throughout the 2023 season. It’s an injury that usually costs players an entire calendar year.
Rodgers was quickly carted off the field in a boot, where he was X-rayed with a questionable designation due to an ankle injury. Within a half hour, Rodgers was ruled out by the team with negative X-ray results. ESPN reporter Kimberly A. Martin described Rodgers as “despondent” while carting through the stadium.
“Rodgers had a left calf injury in preseason,” Sean Walsh, a physical therapist and performance coach who worked for the TB12 Performance Center, tells Pro Football Network. “The worst-case scenario for Monday’s injury is an Achilles, which is not out of the question.”
Not only does this likely end the Jets’ ability to match their Super Bowl dreams, but it could have rippling effects on the franchise that went all-in on the future Hall of Famer.
With Zach Wilson struggling in his first two seasons despite being taken No. 2 overall in 2021, the Jets paid a heavy price to land Rodgers. The usually dependable Rodgers had only twice missed more than one game in any season due to injuries.
Neither the Jets nor the Packers are happy to see Rodgers out more than 35% of the season. New York will get their 2024 first-round pick and only give up their second-round pick instead, but making the playoffs without Rodgers will be considerably more difficult. The Packers have lost out on a premium asset.
The Jets took almost 1,200 offensive snaps in 2022, and if that number repeats itself in 2023, it means that Rodgers would’ve had to play at least 780 snaps for the Packers to get the Jets’ first-round pick. Because it’s less, the Jets will only give up their second-round pick next year.