Former Green Bay Packers vice-president of player finance and current Sports Illustrated analyst Andrew Brandt perfectly encapsulated: “Leverage lies with the negotiating party that is most satisfied with the status quo”. That applies particularly to the Aaron Rodgers situation, in which the Packers and the New York Jets haven't gotten to an agreement to move the future Hall of Famer, one week after he stated his intention to play for the Jets.
There are, however, multiple key dates and checkpoints that could slightly affect leverage and potentially incentivize one side or the other to complete a deal.