NFL Trade Rumors: Roger Goodell could step in to complete Aaron Rodgers’ Jets trade, Peter King claims

The Aaron Rodgers trade is still at a crossroads. The Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets are still negotiating details to send the four-time NFL MVP to "The Big Apple". If nothing gets done, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell can mediate between the two squads for a good reason.

According to an article by Heavy.com’s Paul Esden Jr., NBC Sports’ Peter King declared the scenario during his recent guesting on the Jets’ official podcast. King pointed out that Goodell can meddle because the NFL has to release its 2023 season schedule by May.

If it does happen, the Aaron Rodgers trade won’t be the first time the league will mediate to ensure that a trade pushes through. Then-commissioner Paul Tagliabue got involved in the 1999 trade that sent head coach Bill Parcells from the New England Patriots to the Jets. In return, the Patriots received four picks and a $300,000 donation to the Patriots’ charitable foundation.

In contrast, there’s also an unverified claim that then-commissioner Pete Rozelle got involved for John Elway in the 1983 draft. A trade between the Indianapolis Colts and the Los Angeles Raiders could have been in place without Rozelle’s alleged meddling. Then-Raiders owner Al Davis claimed that the league office interfered because of his lawsuit against the NFL.

Why Aaron Rodgers Being A Jet Matters To The NFL

Aaron Rodgers: Los Angeles Rams v Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers playing for the Jets will have the networks compete to broadcast those games. His transfer will also determine the time slot they will give the Jets. Typically, Sunday games happen in three windows. The games are at 1 PM ET games and 4:25 PM ET.

Meanwhile, NBC’s Sunday Night Football and ESPN’s Monday Night Football often feature the best teams because of their primetime placement. Then there are Amazon’s Thursday Night Football games and the NFL International Series, wherein teams play during mornings Eastern Time.

All NFL teams already know their opponents for the entire season. However, time slots still need to be determined, and networks will want to put on the best games during times with bigger audiences. Aside from playing teams in their division twice, there are four intraconference and four interconference games. There are also interconference games based on their 2022 rankings.

King predicts that the trade will be made before the 2023 NFL Draft, which starts on April 27. When that happens, the Jets will be featured in more primetime games. Of course, networks can charge higher advertising fees during primetime matches, given the reach it provides to their brand.

Aaron Rodgers initially declared his intention to play for the Jets in his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. That guesting came after a “darkness retreat” wherein the Cal alumnus pondered between staying in Green Bay or joining New York.

He signed a three-year, $150 million extension with Green Bay last offseason, making him the highest-paid quarterback in terms of annual average value. The deal also puts him under contract until 2026, but with an opt-out option after the 2023 season.

The Jets must pay a steep price to acquire the one-time Super Bowl champion. Aside from giving up draft picks, they must absorb Aaron Rodgers’ massive cap hit. He will count $31.6 million against the cap for the upcoming season and $40.7 million in 2024.