Falcons listed as logical landing spot for Packers QB Aaron Rodgers

The Atlanta Falcons have been mentioned numerous times as a potential landing spot for quarterback Lamar Jackson if the Baltimore Ravens can’t get a long-term extension done this offseason, but Jackson isn’t the only former MVP who could be on the move in 2023.

The Green Bay Packers may be looking to trade Aaron Rodgers, and one national writer thinks Atlanta would be a logical landing spot.

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USA TODAY’s Nate Davis listed the Falcons as the sixth-best potential fit for Rodgers, citing head coach Arthur Smith’s strength as a play-caller and the team’s young offensive weapons:

“From a fiscal point of view, they have more cap room – roughly $57 million – than any team aside from the Chicago Bears … and Rodgers isn’t getting dealt within the division to the franchise he already “owns.” The Falcons’ trade offer could also begin with a top-10 choice, No. 8 overall specifically, this year.

Atlanta additionally offers a bright offensive mind in head coach Arthur Smith and a nice array of young weapons – RB Tyler Allgeier, WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts. And given the state of the NFC South, especially if Brady bolts? Easily winnable, though this could concurrently be considered the kind of rebuild Rodgers isn’t interested in given that, even if Atlanta might be playoff caliber in 2023, it’s a stretch to think that the Falcons will suddenly be Super Bowl contenders.”

Rodgers, 39, is still capable of playing at a high level, but his 2022 season was average by his standards. One year after winning his fourth NFL MVP award, Rodgers threw for 3,695 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as Green Bay missed the playoffs.

Obviously, the major obstacle would be Rodgers’ contract. He signed a three-year, $150.8 million contract extension last offseason, which included $101.5 million in guaranteed money.

Rodgers seems to be aware of the hurdles his current contract would present in a potential trade, and he sounded open to reworking his deal during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” earlier this week.

“They’re creating void years to allow for an easier cap hit, so there would have to be some adjustments, for sure,” Rodgers said on Tuesday.

Ultimately, the Falcons would be better set up for success with Rodgers under center in 2023, however, there’s a reason Lamar Jackson is more frequently talked about as a potential trade target for Atlanta.

Jackson is 26 years old, which would allow the Falcons to build around him for the next 5-10 years. Plus, the team traded Matt Ryan away last offseason, so to acquire another QB pushing 40 doesn’t make a ton of sense.

While adding Rodgers would likely help Atlanta return to the playoffs after a five-year drought, it would be hard to justify giving up the draft capital and salary cap space it would require to get a deal done.

With that said, crazier things have happened.