Aaron Rodgers posts farewell to Packers as he says it’s hard to ‘fully express the gratitude’

One day after his long-awaited trade to the Jets was sealed, Aaron Rodgers has thanked the Packers and their fans following 18 years in Green Bay.

The quarterback took to Instagram to share the message, where he singled out his Green Bay head coaches Mike McCarthy and Matt LaFleur, president Mark Murphy and GM Brian Gutekunst, among many others.  

‘I’m not sure it’s possible to fully express the gratitude that I have to the @packers, our incredible fans, the state of Wisconsin, the thousands of players that I crossed paths with, the incredible men and women who work for the organization, and the amazing people who I got to meet along the way, in one post with 10 pictures, but I hope you read this and feel my heart and soul, filled with love, joy, and peace about my time in green and gold,’ he started the statement.

‘I grew up in Green Bay, drafted at 21, fell in love with the game, met some lifelong friends, and take with me memories that will last a lifetime.

‘I’m grateful to the late Ted Thompson for drafting me, for my head coaches, especially the 13 years with Mike McCarthy, and the last 4 with Matt LaFleur. I had some incredible men to work with in the QB room over the years including Tom, AVP, Luke, and Connor.

The New York Jets officially agreed a deal for star quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Monday

‘Huge thank you to my guys in the equipment room, Red, TBone, Odea, Kev, Bryan, Andy Grouber, All my dear friends in the training room over the years, Nate, Flea, Doc McKenzie, Doc Gray, Pepp, and Cuz. 

‘The legendary Adam Korzun and his incredible staff; Dougie, Crabby, and Scotty, for always looking out for me; Tom, Nate, Sarah, and Jason in PR, Evan for bringing my work life to film, The Rock and Wayne, for giving words to the highlights of my career, Grey, and Big Rob for your work with our guys over the years, Bloke, Thad, Grant and Gizz in the weight room, Bob Harlan, Russ Ball, Mark Murphy and Brian Gutekunst for your stewardship of the organization, every one on the 3rd and 4th floors who make that building run smoothly, and so many countless others at the loading dock, tours, concessions, maintenance, our field crew, etc.

‘To the fans, THANK YOU, you made every run out of the tunnel special, every home game magical, and it was my honor to be your QB.

‘To my teammates, I love you all, and am thankful for the moments on and off the field that brought us close. I played with legends, I played with friends; thanks for believing in me and having my back always.’

He then declared: ‘This is not the end for us, I will see you again Green Bay, you’ll always have my heart,’ signing off the message ‘-12.’

Green Bay and New York agreed Monday to a deal that sent Rodgers to the Jets for their 2023 second and sixth-round picks, and a conditional 2024 second-round pick which will become a first if Rodgers plays 65 percent of snaps this season.

Furthermore, the teams swapped their first-rounders this year, with the Jets getting the Packers No. 15 and Green Bay getting New York’s No. 13, while Rodgers’ new team also acquired a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft.

Rodgers is seen in his last-ever game for the Packers, a 20-16 loss to the Lions on January 8

The quarterback poses with the MVP trophy in 2011 after winning Super Bowl XLV

NY Jets GM Joe Douglas spoke to the media Tuesday after the teams had agreed to the trade

While it’s unclear how long the four-time MVP will be in New York – as his current contract has an option for 2024 – Jets GM Joe Douglas was effusive in his praise for Gang Green’s new quarterback.

‘Aaron’s one of the best quarterbacks to ever play this game and to have an opportunity to add a player of that caliber, you’re always going to look into it,’ he told reporters Tuesday.

‘It’s a real credit to Robert and his staff, what he’s been able to implement with everyone here, that a player of Aaron’s caliber would even want to come here.

‘We’re all excited to add someone of his character and his ability.’

Packers long-time left tackle David Bakhtiari shared a heartfelt goodbye to Rodgers earlier on Tuesday.