Aaron Rodgers’ next chapter with the Jets has only just begun, but he’s already envisioned a “pretty sick” Super Bowl arc.
Moments after news emerged Monday that the longtime Packers quarterback was being traded to New York after months of speculation, Jets cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner took to Twitter, where he shared an interesting text exchange with Rodgers from March.
The conversation centered around a cheesehead, which Gardner sported in October when the Jets defeated the Packers in Green Bay, before shifting to postseason possibilities.
“Lol. Why do u still have that?” Rodgers said of the cheesehead.
“I envisioned this. I knew it was gonna be a chance that you become a Jet,” Gardner replied.
“I’m waiting for you to become a Jet so I can burn it & we can win a Superbowl together.”
Rodgers then responded, “Would be a pretty sick story wouldn’t it?”
On Monday, after months of speculation and rumors, the Jets and Packers came to an agreement on a trade that brings four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to New York.
The trade immediately upgrades the Jets from rising team to playoff contender with the hopes that Rodgers will help break one of the longest active postseason droughts in sports.
The Jets receive: Aaron Rodgers, No. 15 pick (2023) and No. 170 pick (2023).
The Packers receive: No. 13 pick (2023), No. 42 pick (2023), No. 207 pick (2023) and a conditional second-round 2024 draft pick that conveys to a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65% of the Jets’ plays in 2023.
The trade still needs to be finalized — the terms of Rodgers’ contract need to be worked out — and sent to the NFL.
Both teams will begin feeling this deal as early as Thursday at the 2023 NFL Draft.
For the Packers, it’s now about getting fourth-year QB Jordan Love ready to take over. With Gang Green, it’s about getting a whole host of new faces on the same page offensively.
The 39-year-old was out and about in Calabasas, Calif. when he got word of the trade, all smiles as he picked up coffee and groceries. For Rodgers and Jets fans, it’s hopefully just the beginning of their good times.
Read more of The Post’s Aaron Rodgers coverage
Gardner, 22, was one of several Jets players lobbying for Rodgers, 39, to come to New York.
In fact, the NFL’s reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year lit a cheesehead on fire in a viral YouTube video.
Days after the exchange with Gardner, which was dated March 8 via the screenshot, Rodgers said on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he intends to play for the Jets in 2023.
Although talks between the Jets and Packers had been at a standstill for weeks, discussions revved up over the weekend ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, which starts Thursday.
By Monday afternoon, both organizations had come to an agreement over Rodgers, who has spent the past 18 seasons in Green Bay.
The Jets and Packers swapped their first-round selections in this year’s draft, No. 13 and No. 15, respectively.
Green Bay will also receive a second-round pick from New York, No. 42 overall, as well as a sixth-round pick at No. 207.
Further, the Packers now hold a 2024 conditional second-round pick that can become a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the plays for the Jets in 2023.
If not, the selection will remain a second-rounder.
In addition to Rodgers, a four-time league MVP, the Jets obtained a 2023 fifth-round pick, No. 170.
Rodgers, who spent his final days as a Packer at a healing resort in Costa Rica, is expected to arrive in New Jersey on Tuesday evening, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.
He is expected to have a physical Wednesday, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported.
The Jets will pick up Rodgers’ already guaranteed option bonus of $58.3 million, according to Rapoport.
The team will create $47.3 million of cap space by converting Rodgers’ guaranteed option bonus to a signing bonus.
The quarterback will now count $15.7 million against the cap in 2023.