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Aaron Rodgers is saying goodbye to Green Bay.
The four-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl XLV champion was traded to the New York Jets on Monday, officially ending Rodgers’ storied career in Green Bay. Although he’s leaving the Packers, Rodgers penned a farewell letter to fans on Instagram, writing, “This is not the end for us, I will see you again Green Bay, you’ll always have my heart.”
Rodgers shared a slideshow of photos documenting his 18-year career in Green Bay, from being drafted in 2005, to winning MVP and hosting a Vince Lombardi trophy.
“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 wrote on Tuesday.
Rodgers expressed gratitude to former Packers GM Ted Thompson, current Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy – who served as the Packers’ coach from 2006 to 2018, leading the team to a Super Bowl win – and current coach Matt LaFleur. He thanked the Packers organization, from the equipment room staff to the field crew at Lambeau Field.
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“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,” Rodgers said. “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.”
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Rodgers shared several photos with former teammates Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Mason Crosby, Randall Cobb and David Bakhtiari in his Instagram post.
“To my teammates, I love you all, and am thankful for the moments on and off the field that brought us close,” he captioned the images. “I played with legends, I played with friends; thanks for believing in me and having my back always.”
He concluded his farewell with a note to 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.”
Rodgers signed his farewell letter with 12, his jersey number in Green Bay, which he will not wear on the Jets. He will return to No. 8, the number he wore in college at California.
As part of the deal to send Rodgers to New York, the Packers moved up two spots in the first round of Thursday’s NFL draft, taking the Jets’ No. 13 overall pick while sending back the No. 15 selection, according to ESPN and NFL Network. The Packers also will receive a second-round pick and a sixth-round selection this year as well as a conditional 2024 second-round pick that becomes a first if Rodgers plays 65% of the offensive snaps this season, per the reports. In addition to Rodgers, the Jets will also receive a fifth-round selection this year.
Contributing: Nate Davis, USA TODAY
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