Why the Jets trading for Packers' Aaron Rodgers may still not be imminent

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has confirmed his intentions for the 2023 season, but that doesn't necessarily mean a resolution is imminent. 

As shared by the NFL's website and ESPN, Rodgers confirmed during his Wednesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he plans to play for the New York Jets next season. That's all well and good, but everyone involved still has hurdles to clear before the Jets can officially introduce the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player at a news conference. 

As Hunter Hodies explained for The Spun, ESPN's Adam Schefter previously reported that the Packers want a trade package that includes two first-round draft picks and likely other assets for Rodgers. However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero later said that the two sides merely "have not yet agreed to trade terms" and that "Green Bay is not looking for multiple first-round picks." 

There's more. 

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported on Tuesday that "there’s currently chatter in league circles that the two teams may be caught in a 'game of chicken,'" in part because trading Rodgers before June 1 would cost the Packers over $24 million "in 2023 cap dollars." Per Jeremy Brener of Sports Illustrated's FanNation, Green Bay "can save nearly $16 million in cap space" by trading the 39-year-old after June 1. 

Florio also wrote on Tuesday night that a league source told him the Packers could wait the Jets out through the opening night of the draft, if necessary, to ensure Gang Green meets the asking price for Rodgers. While Rodgers has a $58.3 million option bonus attached to his deal, the Packers theoretically can wait until Week 1 of the 2023 season to pick that up. 

Rodgers, meanwhile, will have to adjust his contract to join the Jets. 

"I made it clear my intention was to play and to play for the New York Jets, and I haven't been holding anything up," Rodgers told McAfee on Wednesday. "It's the compensation that the Packers are trying to get ... The Packers want to move on and have let me know that in so many words." 

In short, the Packers don't need to be in any hurry to give Rodgers the trade he wants. To borrow from the famous tune: It's up to you, New York.