Has Aaron Rodgers emerged from the darkness? Does anyone know whether the Packers quarterback has actually started his four-day retreat away from civilization?
Perhaps only a few do, because Rodgers mentioned last week on The Pat McAfee Show that he keeps his inner circle small and he’s convinced no one talks outside the circle.
And so the NFL world continues to wait on Rodgers’s decision—or for his next appearance on McAfee’s show—to learn about his future with the Packers. Some teams are starting to get antsy with free agency around the corner and with one prominent quarterback already available.
The Jets likely have interest in Rodgers, but they hosted free agent quarterback Derek Carr during the holiday weekend and apparently it went very well. Do they continue waiting on Rodgers and risk losing Carr or move forward with the former Raiders quarterback?
Over at the MMQB, we’re also losing patience. But finding a new home for Rodgers might be complicated because the Packers would need to execute a trade and they would likely have a high asking price. They would also need to find a team willing to absorb his lucrative contract.
Rodgers is scheduled to receive a fully-guaranteed $59.46 million for the 2023 season. That’s probably reason No. 1 for why Rodgers likely won’t retire this year. This situation is complicated, but regardless, there will probably be one team willing to make it work for Rodgers’s hard-to-find services—if he decides to play elsewhere this upcoming season.
But don’t be surprised if the Packers don’t get multiple first-round picks for Rodgers, like the Lions did from the Rams in the Matthew Stafford trade in 2021 and same with the Seahawks when they shipped Russell Wilson to the Broncos last year. Those quarterbacks were younger than Rodgers, and if he decides to come back, it might only be for a season or two. But those quarterbacks aren’t Rodgers, to put it politely.
So, with that in mind, here are trade proposals for five teams that should call the Packers to inquire about Rodgers:
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5. New York Giants
Why Rodgers fits: The Rodgers rumors haven’t pointed in the Giants’ direction, but this makes plenty of sense as a fit for him. New York has the cap space, it’s coming off a playoff appearance and it hasn’t been burned by a veteran quarterback in recent memory, like the Commanders and Colts, two teams that might not enter the Rodgers sweepstakes for that reason. With a well-respected head coach in Brian Daboll, the Giants are an appealing destination and they would be wise to at least explore Rodgers as an option. If the QB and/or the Packers say no, they can always re-sign Daniel Jones.
Why he doesn’t: The Giants don’t have a high first-round pick to offer, thanks to their postseason appearance. They’re slotted at No. 26 in April’s draft. They can make up for that by offering a few future picks, but that could hurt New York’s roster for the foreseeable future, and it has a few noticeable holes, especially at the skill positions. The Giants are lacking star pass-catchers and running back Saquon Barkley is a pending free agent. They were the NFC’s second wild-card team last season, but good coaching masked the shortage of playmakers on the roster.
Trade proposal: New York’s No. 26 pick and second- and third-round selections in 2024.
Getting two future picks would be somewhat similar to the Stafford trade. This strategy paid off for the Lions because the Rams’ second first-round pick turned into the No. 6 overall selection this year. The first one was No. 32 in ‘22 after the Rams won the Super Bowl. Win-win type deal.
4. Tennessee Titans
Why Rodgers fits: He would join Titans head coach Mike Vrabel in a winnable AFC South, although the Jaguars might say otherwise. Also, Rodgers would get to lean on workhorse running back Derrick Henry, who still has plenty left in the tank after rushing for 1,538 yards last season. And maybe the Titans’ handful of moves Wednesday to get under the salary cap is an indication that they’re going after Rodgers. They now have the cap space to at least be a realistic landing spot.
Why he doesn’t: There’s plenty of uncertainty on the Titans’ roster, especially on the offensive side. Treylon Burks, who had a quiet rookie season, is currently the team’s No. 1 wideout, and the offensive line needs improvements. Rodgers and Henry might not be enough to beat the surging Jaguars in the division. The defense also needs work after struggling to get stops during a seven-game losing streak to end 2022. But the Titans at least have a few studs in defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons and outside linebacker Harold Landry.
Trade proposal: Edge rusher Bud Dupree and Tennessee’s No. 11, 42 (second round) and 73 (third round) picks this year.
That’s a lot of high draft picks, but the Titans might get a pick back if they’re able to trade quarterback Ryan Tannehill. They can also release Tannehill to clear more cap space.
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3. Seattle Seahawks
Why Rodgers fits: The Seahawks have plenty to offer with a talented roster and they have the cap space and draft picks to execute a blockbuster trade. Seattle has two first-round picks and two second-round selections in April’s draft—courtesy of the Wilson trade with the Broncos. Finding quality receivers was an issue in Green Bay. That wouldn’t be the case in Seattle with the receiving tandem of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Rodgers would also have a balanced attack with running back Kenneth Walker, who’s coming off a sensational rookie season.
Why he doesn’t: The resurgence of quarterback Geno Smith paired with a productive 2022 draft class was enough for the Seahawks to make the playoffs. Perhaps GM John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll stay the course by continuing to build through the draft and make an effort to re-sign Smith, which would cost less than chasing Rodgers. The Seahawks might also consider drafting a quarterback with the No. 5 pick, another cheaper option than Rodgers. But if Seattle wants to go all in, like the 49ers last year and the Rams before that, it should seriously consider the Rodgers sweepstakes. Then again, the Seahawks came out on the better end of the Wilson trade and might avoid making the same mistakes as Denver.
Trade proposal: Seattle’s No. 5 and 124 (fourth round) picks this year.
Not as many draft picks as the Broncos sent to Seattle in the Wilson trade, but that didn’t include a top-five pick.
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal S, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC
2. New York Jets
Why Rodgers fits: Rodgers would get to reunite with Nathaniel Hackett, the recently-hired Jets offensive coordinator coming off a forgetful season as the Broncos’ head coach. Rodgers was a two-time MVP with Hackett as the offensive coordinator during their time together in Green Bay. Rodgers would get a dynamic No. 1 receiver in Garrett Wilson, the reigning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, a quality offensive line that features former first rounder Alijah Vera-Tucker, and a productive running back if Breece Hall fully recovers from the torn ACL he sustained in October. Rodgers would also benefit from a top defense, which made strides during head coach Robert Saleh’s second season in New York.
Why he doesn’t: This might be a reach, but it’s tough seeing Rodgers following in Brett Favre’s footsteps. Favre, the Hall of Fame quarterback, joined the New York Jets in 2008 after 16 seasons with the Packers. Perhaps Rodgers doesn’t care about having similar career paths as his predecessor in Green Bay, but still a little weird and it probably crossed his mind. As for a bigger issue, the Jets are thin at wide receiver behind Wilson and have a need at tight end. A lack of weapons has been a notable issue for Rodgers and the Packers the past few seasons, in case you didn’t know.
Trade proposal: Wide receiver Elijah Moore and the No. 13 and 146 (fifth round) picks this year.
Moore would get a fresh start with Jordan Love as his quarterback.
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Why Rodgers fits: A reunion with Davante Adams for starters. The dynamic duo had plenty of success during eight seasons together in Green Bay, but they fell short of winning a Super Bowl. This would provide an opportunity to continue that quest in Las Vegas, and Adams would gladly welcome Rodgers after getting a taste of life on the field without the star quarterback. After a forgetful first season with the Raiders, Adams has recruited Rodgers on social media and during interviews. If Rodgers lands in Sin City, he would get to work with Raiders coach Josh McDaniels, who had plenty of success with Tom Brady in New England. And perhaps most importantly, the Raiders have the cap space to take on Rodgers’s contract.
Why he doesn’t: The Raiders’ defense is a problem and it has been for years—Derek Carr can attest to that. Rodgers and Adams would need to generate 28-plus points on a weekly basis if the silver and black don’t make defensive improvements. Perhaps it’s unfair to judge this current front office based on history, but the Raiders have struggled to hit in the draft and free agency for several years. The Raiders would also need to find offensive weapons for Rodgers if they decide to part ways with the two players mentioned in the trade proposal.
Green Bay sends this year’s fourth-round selection to Las Vegas for giving Love two standout playmakers.
