GREEN BAY, Wis. — It wasn’t hard to get people to talk about the news a deal has been reached to trade Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets.
It’s been months in the making. Even so, it came with some mixed emotions for De Pere resident Alan Tesoro.
“Obviously, he’s brought a lot to the team as well as the organization, but at the same time, it’s time to move on and see what we have moving forward,” he said. “Especially with all the draft picks the Packers are going to acquire.”
Like Green Bay Packers fans across the state and nation, he said he was glad months of talking and speculation had drawn to a close.
“Everyone was kind of anticipating or waiting for the day,” Tesoro said. “Obviously, today is the day.”
For Chicago resident Ryan McKinley, there’s some relief his favorite team won’t see Rodgers on a regular basis.
“For me as a Bears fan, it means the bad man is gone and I get to enjoy watching Bears-Packers games again,” he said with a laugh. “I can forget the days of him just marching up the field in the fourth quarter and beating us. It’s good news for me today.”
McKinley said he has some empathy for what Packers fans endured — well, sort of.
“It seems like it’s been super drawn out. I’m honestly happy for Packers fans that they can have some conclusion to this,” he said. “He’s brought some good games to the Packers, but it’s good to see him gone.”
What the team looks like next year is the question many Packers fans have. Tesoro still expects some powerful play in the upcoming season.
“I’m still expecting them to be at least a winning team,” he said. “Probably 9-8, or possibly 10-7.”