As the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets continue to chip away at trade negotiations for veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a key holdup has emerged: protection for draft pick compensation in the event that Rodgers doesn’t play in the 2024 NFL season, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reports.

The trade is currently orbiting a deal that would swap Rodgers for two high draft picks, according to multiple sources who spoke with Yahoo Sports. The sources characterized a deal as getting “closer” despite stiff negotiation over how those picks would stack up and whether the package would include “give back” protection for the Jets if Rodgers does not play beyond the 2023 season.

As it stands, talks are focused on the Jets dealing two picks for the Packers quarterback — one second-round pick in next month's NFL Draft, and another second-rounder in 2024 that could graduate to a first-round pick with “achievable” team performance escalators. An example of such an escalator would be if the Jets were to host a home divisional playoff game or advance to the AFC championship game. A sticking point in the talks is the Jets seeking an element of protection built into the trade, specifically one that sends some 2025 draft compensation to New York from Green Bay if Rodgers does not play in 2024 and beyond.

It boils down to the Packers wanting “straight shot” draft picks without qualifiers, while the Jets want such high level of compensation to be based on 2023 team performance and Rodgers also playing for New York in 2024.

According to sources, the issue of Rodgers' viability in 2024 arose in trade talks largely because of comments the quarterback made on "The Pat McAfee Show" earlier this month about his darkness retreat.

“I’ve got to admit, I went into the darkness 90 percent retired [and] 10 percent playing,” Rodgers said.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/theredzoneorg 
  
Like us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/Theredzone.org