Former Packers exec reveals big difference between Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre trades

Former Green Bay Packers executive Andrew Brandt explained the difference between the Brett Favre trade and the potential Aaron Rodgers trade.

The Green Bay Packers are waiting on a decision from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The four-time NFL MVP is currently deciding whether he wants to continue playing for the Packers, request a trade to a new team, or retire.

Even after meeting with the New York Jets this past week, there is still no timetable as to when Rodgers will provide the NFL world with his answer.

Rodgers could potentially become the next face of the franchise quarterback to leave Green Bay via trade. The last was Brett Favre, who was traded to the Jets prior to the 2008 season after retiring then unretiring. The parallels between Favre and Rodgers carried over the years, especially when the Packers drafted Jordan Love in 2020 to be their next potential long-term quarterback.

Former Packers executive Andrew Brandt was asked on Twitter about the differences that team president Mark Murphy is facing with Rodgers in 2023 and with Favre back in 2008. Brandt said that Favre was popular and that the organization received criticism after moving on with Rodgers as their quarterback. Brandt says with the sense he’s getting, it’s not as bad now, saying “it seems like a decent segment of the fan base is ready to move on to Jordan.”

Former Packers executive Andrew Brandt details difference between Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers trades

After the 2007 season, Favre announced his retirement from the NFL. Yet, months later, Favre changed his mind and expressed his desire to continue his career. With the Packers already making the decision to move onto Rodgers as their starting quarterback, they opted to trade Favre elsewhere, which ultimately turned out to be the Jets.

Brandt himself said during an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” that they told Favre they were ready to start Rodgers at quarterback prior to the 2008 season.

With Rodgers, the past couple of years have been drama filled. On the night of the 2021 NFL Draft, reports indicated that Rodgers requested a trade from the Packers. That then carried over into a holdout throughout OTA’s and minicamp. But, Rodgers ultimately made his return to the team during training camp. After winning the NFL MVP for the consecutive season, the Packers signed Rodgers to a three-year, $150.8 million contract extension.

With Rodgers expressing uncertainty about his status for the 2023 season since losing that Week 18 Sunday Night Football game against the Detroit Lions, the Packers appeared more and more open to moving forward with Love as their quarterback. General manager Brian Gutekunst said at the NFL Scouting Combine that Love “needs to play.”

Then, there was Murphy, who said this week that the Packers have “a lot of confidence” in Love and that he’s “ready.” Let’s not forget that Love will be an unrestricted free agent after this season if they don’t pick up his fifth-year option. So, the Packers do want to eventually see what he’s capable of while leading the offense for a full season.

While the Jets and Rodgers met, there was a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Saturday that both teams have not worked out a framework of a trade. They are both waiting for Rodgers to announce what he wants to do, then they will work on a deal.

The free agency negotiation window officially opens up on Monday, March 13, with the 2023 league year officially beginning on Wednesday, March 15. As for if Rodgers will announce his decision prior to these important dates on the NFL calendar, that’s anyone’s guess.