The Packers believe in the Rickey Theory Dan Leberfeld

Long-time baseball executive Branch Rickey is considered one of the great innovators in the history of professional sports.

The GM of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1942-50 started minor league baseball farm systems, introduced the battling helmet, and most importantly signed Jackie Robinson, to break baseball’s color barrier.

And when it came to making player trades, he had a philosophy that executives still adhere to many years later.

“You trade a player a year too early rather than a year too late,” Rickey once said.

In other words, don’t wait until a player slips and then you can get very little or nothing for him.

Based on what Packers QB Aaron Rodgers said Wednesday on the Pat McAfee Show, the Packers subscribe to the Rickey philosophy.

“As is the case with the Packers, the way they do things, they like to get rid of players a year early, instead of year too late, in their minds,” said the 39-year-old Rodgers.

So Rodgers feels this led the Packers to draft Utah State QB Jordan Love in the 2020 first round, thinking Rodgers was perhaps a declining player.

The Jets don’t think he is and want to trade for him.

If the Jets can execute the trade, history will eventually tell us who was right.

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