Aaron Rodgers: 'It's Been a Dream' Being Part of Jets After Trade from Packers

New York Jets fans feel like the addition of Aaron Rodgers is a dream, and that's exactly how the former Green Bay Packers quarterback feels following the blockbuster trade that sent him to the Meadowlands last month.

"Everything's new and exciting and fun. I'm just pinching myself a lot of days. I can't believe it's real sometimes," Rodgers said during Tuesday's appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. "It's been a dream, for sure, just to be here. Definitely feel energized to be in the building."

The Packers traded Rodgers, their 2023 first-round pick and 2023 fifth-round pick to the Jets on April 24 in exchange for a 2023 first-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick, a 2023 sixth-round pick and a conditional 2024 second-round pick.

The conditional second-round pick becomes a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the offensive snaps for the Jets this season.

With Rodgers aboard, the Jets are expected to have one of the best offenses in the NFL in 2023. In addition to the quarterback, the franchise has also brought in wide receivers Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman to pair with Garrett Wilson, and it selected center Joe Tippmann in the second round of the draft.

The Jets began Phase 2 of their offseason program Monday, and Rodgers was on the field throwing to his new receivers. This portion of the program is voluntary, but New York appears to have had a solid turnout, which should come as no surprise with elevated expectations.

Rodgers has fully embraced being in New York since his trade from the Packers too, taking in a New York Rangers playoff game at Madison Square Garden and a New York Knicks playoff game over the weekend.

The Jets haven't had a winning season since 2015 and haven't reached the playoffs since the 2010 campaign. Rodgers should be able to lead the team back into the playoffs, though it will be difficult for Gang Green to capture the AFC East crown from the Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills.