The New York Jets brought in Aaron Rodgers and thought everything would come up aces.
That’s not how it works in today’s NFL, even with a future Hall of Famer. Two teams facing off in the NFC Wild Card playoffs prove it.
In the 2021 offseason, Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford were traded for each other. At the time, the deal was seen as the Lions’ attempt to prepare for the future while being saddled with an overpaid, below-average quarterback. Meanwhile, the Rams were going all-in on a ring.
In 2023, the Rams have not only their ring but a supposed rebuild and then a shocking return to the playoffs.