Aaron Rodgers left the Green Bay Packers primarily due to a breakdown in communication and a strained relationship with the team, especially after they drafted his successor, Jordan Love, in 2020. Rodgers took the drafting of Love as a sign that the Packers lacked faith in him as their long-term quarterback. Despite signing a contract extension in 2022, the Packers traded away Rodgers' top receiver Davante Adams shortly after, which further frustrated Rodgers. During an offseason "darkness retreat," Rodgers realized the Packers were essentially telling him to either retire or move on to another team. After that, the Packers and Rodgers agreed to part ways, and he was traded to the New York Jets in a deal involving six draft picks. His desire to continue playing and win a Super Bowl with a strong young Jets team also influenced his move.
Key reasons:
- Drafting of Jordan Love as his successor in 2020, signaling lack of long-term commitment to Rodgers.
- Trade of Davante Adams, his top receiver, which hurt team dynamics.
- Communication breakdown and lack of clear earlier dialogue about his future.
- Packers' message after his sensory deprivation retreat that it was "retire or move on."
- Rodgers wanted to keep playing and saw a better championship opportunity with the Jets.
