Blockbuster AFC Trade Means Chargers will Face Champion QB in New Threads

It will be quite the matchup!

The Los Angeles Chargers were going to see Aaron Rodgers this season no matter what. He's been a member of the Green Bay Packers since 2005 and has easily established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the league's history.

We don't know exactly when the matchup will happen but LA's opponents have already been released and they're set to play away games against both the Packers and the New York Jets. The Jets were the heavily-favorited landing spots for Rodgers amidst his trade request and the deal was finally completed on Monday.

Details of the trade were first shared by the NFL's Ian Rappoport.

🚨 🚨 🚨 Sources: The #Packers and #Jets have agreed to the mega-trade, sending 4-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to the #Jets for major compensation.

Finally!

The deal includes a 2nd rounder this year, a 1st round pick swap this year, and a conditional 1st rounder in 2024. pic.twitter.com/QfOWggeAU6

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2023

"The

#Packers

and

#Jets

have agreed to the mega-trade, sending 4-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to the

#Jets

for major compensation."

"Finally! The deal includes a 2nd rounder this year, a 1st round pick swap this year, and a conditional 1st rounder in 2024." 

How have the Chargers historically matched up against Aaron Rodgers?

Despite Rodgers having logged almost 18 seasons in his NFL career, he has only played against the Bolts three times in that time period. The Chargers have only won one of those matchups and allowed about 250 yards thrown by him in the losses.

It will definitely be a tough cover once again when LA takes on New York this season considering that they haven't exactly made strides with their defensive line as of late.

"He didn't do 💩 today," Chargers edge rusher Joey Bosa on how his team's defense stifled Packers QB Aaron Rodgers @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/jIPiFbFOkp

— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) November 4, 2019

What will be LA's keys to shutting down Rodgers?

With someone as great as Rodgers, no matter how old he is, it's understood that he is going to get his fair share of completions off. However, the Chargers have learned that he can be contained with the right defensive plan.

It's going to be a whole new system in New York but the Bolts do need to focus on covering receivers early. LA has had bad experiences when facing the likes of Patrick Mahomes due to focusing on sending too many bodies at the QB at once.

Finally, they need to trust in the offense that Kellen Moore will lay into place for them. Justin Herbert will have plenty of options to hit and no matter who's at RB, they'll have to step up.