Jets agree to trade for Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, source says

Aaron Rodgers is a Jet — at long last.

Nearly six weeks after Rodgers declared that his “intention” was to play for the Jets this season, the Packers and Jets finally reached an agreement on a trade Monday, an NFL source said. Rodgers got what he wanted, and the Jets got their franchise-changing quarterback.

The lengthy standoff ended, as predicted, the week of the NFL Draft. The Jets will receive Rodgers and picks No. 15 and 170 in the draft from Green Bay for picks 13, 42 and 207 and a 2024 conditional second-round pick. It can become a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65% of the snaps this year.

For the Jets’ sake, they had better hope they give up a No. 1 next year. If Rodgers plays less than 65% of the snaps, it could be another long Jets season.

The deal is expected to become official once Rodgers agrees to some contract reworking. He is due to make $59.6 million this season.

Talks between the teams picked up over the last several days. The Packers wanted a first-round pick for arguably the best player in franchise history. In the end, the teams agreed to swap first-rounders this year.

This is a huge moment and move for a franchise that has been craving a quarterback who can lead them from mostly darkness to a deep playoff run. The 39-year-old Rodgers is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and comes to the Jets with some motivation and extra chips on his shoulder.

Rodgers said during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” last month that he didn’t like that the Packers weren’t up front with him about their desire to turn the franchise over to Jordan Love. Rodgers expressed frustration that they didn’t tell him directly that “they want to move on.”

Those circumstances, he said, had him go from “90% retiring” before he went into his four-day darkness retreat in February to still having “that fire.”

According to Rodgers, he “made it clear” to Green Bay that his “intention was to play and my intention was to play for the New York Jets.” Rodgers said the Packers were “digging their heels in” on trade compensation and urged them to “do the right thing.”

It took a while, but Rodgers’ Hall of Fame career will continue in green and white instead of green and yellow.

Getting the quarterback was a win for the Jets regardless. Getting a driven and inspired Rodgers could lead to many more wins when it matters most.

The Jets haven’t made the playoffs since the 2010 season and haven’t reached the Super Bowl in more than five decades. Both of those lengthy droughts could end with the four-time MVP now leading their offense. The only player with more MVPs than Rodgers is Peyton Manning with five.

Rodgers, who led the Packers to five NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl victory, joins a team that started 7-4 last year, including a win at Lambeau Field over the Rodgers-led Packers. The season fell apart, though, as the Jets dropped their final six games and extended the NFL’s longest current streak of missing the playoffs. Quarterback play was a big part of the reason as Zach Wilson struggled and Mike White missed three games after fracturing his ribs.

Jets owner Woody Johnson called quarterback “the missing piece” to the team and said he “absolutely” would spend large amounts of money to bring in a proven veteran.

The Jets — who already had a good young nucleus on offense and defense — brought in one of Rodgers’ favorite targets in Green Bay, signing 6-5 receiver Allen Lazard. They also added speedy receiver Mecole Hardman, formerly of Kansas City.

The transition for Rodgers and Lazard should be seamless because new Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett held that same position with Green Bay from 2019-21. Hackett developed a close relationship with Rodgers, who said Hackett was a factor in his decision to play for the Jets.

“There’s a lot of reasons why the Jets are attractive,” Rodgers said, “but there’s one coach who’s meant as much to me as any coach that I’ve ever had, and he happens to be the coordinator over there.”

Hackett was part of the contingent that flew out to California on Johnson’s private airplane to meet with Rodgers in March. The others were Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas, coach Robert Saleh and team president Hymie Elhai.

Rodgers is the most accomplished quarterback the Jets have had since they rolled out the red carpet for former Packer Brett Favre in 2008.

A first-round pick of the Packers in 2005, Rodgers said he’s “sad” to leave Green Bay. He’s had some tumultuous times, but he’s also enjoyed a terrific career. After succeeding Favre in 2008, Rodgers went 147-75-1 as a starter with 475 touchdown passes. He ranks ninth in NFL history with 59,055 passing yards and is fifth in touchdown passes.

The only numbers that really matter to the Jets and their fans are roman numerals. Super Bowl III was the last time the Jets played in the big game. They hope they finally have acquired a quarterback who can change that.

McGovern returning. The Jets re-signed center Connor McGovern on Monday. McGovern, who turns 30 on Thursday, has played and started 48 games in the past three seasons with the Jets. He was the only Jet to play every snap on offense last season.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.