The 12th Man can officially rejoice and breathe a sigh of relief as one of the Seattle Seahawks’ most loathsome adversaries has finally left the NFC. After years of playing coy about his future during his seemingly endless media circus, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is at long last leaving the Green Bay Packers. Trade negotiations began over a month ago, but recently became reheated over the weekend. Rodgers will now officially be heading to the Big Apple to play for the New York Jets.
It’s beyond ironic how despite early contention between the two, Aaron Rodgers is following Brett Favre’s footsteps when his tenure in Green Bay ended. Constant rumors and drama regarding retirement from the Packers? Check. Going to the Jets? Double check.
🚨 🚨 🚨 Sources: The #Packers and #Jets have agreed to the mega-trade, sending 4-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to the #Jets for major compensation.
Finally!
The deal includes a 2nd rounder this year, a 1st round pick swap this year, and a conditional 1st rounder in 2024. pic.twitter.com/QfOWggeAU6
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2023
Over the past few years, Rodgers has become a controversial and outright bizarre personality. From blatantly lying about his vaccination status, to bragging about consuming psychedelic tea, to his most recent self-imposed “darkness retreat,” Rodgers continues to make headlines in rather unusual fashion.
Now, Rodgers joins an AFC loaded to the brim with elite quarterback talent, leaving the NFC even more wide open than before. This directly benefits the Seahawks, who have struggled in their rivalry with Rodgers’ Packers in recent years.
In the Pete Carroll era, Seattle initially held a 3-0 record over Rodgers, including a victory in the legendary 2014 NFC Championship. Since then, the edge has been all Rodgers as Green Bay is 5-1 in the last six meetings – including a 28-23 victory in the 2019 Divisional Round and a 17-0 win in 2021 to give the Seahawks their first shutout loss in over a decade.
Even when Seattle isn’t slated to play the Packers, they always found a way to somehow be a direct threat. Several times in the last few seasons, Green Bay appeared dead in the water until Rodgers resuscitated them, including last year.
Despite being 4-8 after Thanksgiving, Rodgers had Green Bay on a win streak and in a position to make the playoffs. It all boiled down to a home Sunday Night Football game against the Detroit Lions. The 8-8 Packers only had to beat their division rival, and they would have been in the postseason over Seattle due to a better in-conference record tiebreaker. For the second time in four years, Rodgers could have ended the Seahawks’ playoff hopes.
Thankfully, the Lions upset Green Bay when Rodgers threw a game-losing interception – his last pass as a Packer. It marked the third consecutive year Rodgers’ season ended with a loss at Lambeau Field as a home favorite. Detroit’s victory gave the No. 7 seed to Seattle.
Although the Packers could still be a decent team with former first round quarterback Jordan Love, it’s safe to say the Seahawks would rather take their chances with him instead of arguably their biggest boogeyman.
