After 17 seasons with the Packers, Super Bowl champ Aaron Rodgers has traded in his Green Bay jersey for the colors of the New York Jets.

The new Jets quarterback has also made a big move off the field.

Rodgers reportedly picked up a trophy property in Montclair, NJ, for $9.5 million, according to the New York Post. The buyer in the transaction is hidden behind a limited liability company, so we can’t independently confirm the deal.

But we did decide to take a closer look at the real estate he’s purported to have purchased, to see if the future Hall of Famer made a savvy decision. We spoke with some luxury specialists in the area and asked them to weigh in on the pros and cons of Rodgers’ big deal.

Not in Green Bay anymore

If the California native truly wants to embrace life near the big city, his new place is ideal. The brand-new contemporary residence offers massive walls of glass, plenty of privacy, and spectacular Manhattan views.

It’s also a convenient commute. His new home sits about 10 miles from MetLife Stadium, where the Jets play their home games.

The location is close to New York City—yet removed from the hectic everyday grind.

“The luxury market in North Jersey is still very strong in the Montclair area, since it is the prime location,” says Laura Drago of Corcoran Sawyer Smith. “Many sports professionals and New York City executives come to the Montclair area for the exquisite homes, the natural beauty, as well as the direct train and bus commute to New York City.”

Drago adds that Rodgers won’t be alone as a big baller in this part of New Jersey: “This area has been home to many professional athletes, from the New Jersey Devils, the New York Jets, as well as the New York Giants for many years.”

Designer digs

His high-end home has everything a celeb could wish for: an open floor plan with eight bedrooms and 10 bathrooms.

Highlights include an impressive kitchen with three sinks and an island with bar seating. The living and dining areas are spacious and luxurious, and the primary suite offers a spa bath and impressive views of the New York City skyline.

There’s also a lower-level lounge, media room, wine cellar, in-law suite, and home gym.

Rodgers might appreciate the solar roof panels, which should help bring down his energy bills, along with the three-car garage equipped with an electric-vehicle charging station.

Outdoor space

Sitting on over 2 acres, the home features a large patio area as well as room to add a pool in the future.

The upscale home is just a mile from the town of Upper Montclair, and a 157-acre county park—Mills Reservation—sits nearby. So the environs, surrounded by green space, are a blend of suburban comfort and access to an “urban lifestyle,” the listing notes.

It further adds that the northern New Jersey setting is “a short distance from New York City.” We mapped it, and Rodgers’ new place is about 20 miles west of midtown Manhattan—a not inconsiderable drive depending on traffic.

Priced right?

Newly built, the home came on the market in May for $11 million and lasted 23 days before going into contract at $9.5 million. Property records show it was sold at the end of June.

The reduced sale price is a deal, according to Christen Sachs with Nest Seekers. Montclair has limited inventory, with many homes selling as soon as they hit the market.

Given the property’s approximate 10,000 square feet of living space, the home closed at roughly $950 per square foot.

Still, the sale was pricey for the area. With just 68 listings in Montclair, the highest-priced home currently available is asking for $2.7 million. The median price per square foot in the town sits at a fairly reasonable $389.

“At $9.5 million it is quite pricey, especially considering the average home value in Montclair, NJ, is just under $1 million,” says Jenny Lenz with Dolly Lenz Real Estate.

This is great news for suburban home shoppers without Rodgers-size bank accounts. In fact, there’s a pretty good-looking new build in the town available for $1.4 million.

Of course, Rodgers has a larger budget than most. Although he reportedly took a pay cut to join the Jets, it’s still believed he entered into a deal of upward of $75 million over two years, so he certainly can afford to spend a fortune on his Jersey retreat.

Touchdown or fumble?

So, is the new pad a touchdown?

“This location is absolutely incredible,” Sachs says. “It is a custom home. It has an open floor plan. It has panoramic views of New York City.”

Celebs like Rodgers are in the market for “a sanctuary to call home that is private, but also safe,” she adds.

Given the relative seclusion, it’s hard to argue that the gorgeous estate would be anything less than a win.

“It’s a stunning property with complete privacy and close to the football stadium, so we can see why he would be attracted to it,” Lenz says.

Lenz did take minor issue with the purported ease of access into the city.

“Traffic is never easy in New Jersey, so traveling into the city could take upward of one hour,” Lenz says.

Perhaps Rodgers should consider getting a pied-à-terre in Manhattan for when he wants a change of pace, without the stress of a bridge-and-tunnel commute.

Property portfolio

The sleek estate’s location makes sense for the QB, who clearly likes to live near where he plays.

His home in Oneida, WI, is about a 10-minute drive from storied Lambeau Field. He bought the place in 2015 for $1.7 million. And as we’ve pointed out before, it wasn’t the most expensive home in the neighborhood.

Clearly, the superstar also likes to play the real estate game. The four-time All-Pro also owns a three-bedroom residence in his hometown of Chico, CA, which he picked up for $306,000 in 2007.

But for the true off-season getaway, the 39-year-old signal caller maintains a $28 million vacation getaway in the oh, so desirable coastal community of Malibu, CA.

Randy White contributed to this report.

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