Aaron Rodgers is the reigning NFL MVP, and in an unprecedented turn of events, he could soon find himself on on a new team. After 15 years in Green Bay, Rodgers is making headlines this offseason for reportedly telling those around him that he wants out. While it seems unfathomable that the Packers would be willing to move on from their franchise quarterback, it's certainly the biggest story of the NFL offseason. So let's say that the Packers feel their hands are tied, and decide to deal arguably the greatest quarterback in their franchise's history. Here are my top 10 landing spots that make sense for both Aaron Rodgers, and the Packers organization.
10. Minnesota Vikings
The odds of this happening are slim to none, but hear me out! In principle, this move could make a lot of sense for both sides. Rodgers wants out, and he almost certainly wants to go to a team that has a serious shot at winning now. The Vikings are a loaded roster on both sides of the ball, and they have something that Rodgers desperately craves: weapons on offense. Dalvin Cook is arguably the best running back in the league, and the duo of Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen is for my money, the best tandem in the NFL. The only weak spot on Minnesota's offense, is the inconsistency at quarterback. Kirk Cousins, while serviceable in most scenarios, has yet to show that he is the elite talent needed to take the Vikings to a championship. However, Rodgers in that spot would immediately alleviate those concerns. Plus, a deal that includes a swap at quarterback, would help Green Bay. This week, the Packers General Manager said that Jordan Love still wasn't ready to start, and this move could allow him to sit behind Cousins until he is. Of course, with these two being divisional rivals, there is far more chance that Rodgers just decides to stay in Green Bay than this move actually happening.
9. Houston Texans
Nobody knows what the future holds for Deshaun Watson, or the Texans organization in general. But a trade for Aaron Rodgers would allow the team to move on from Watson completely, and it would re-energize the fanbase. From the Packers perspective, you would have to imagine that they would be able to get a haul for Rodgers, while having the last laugh by sending him to a place in the AFC that really nobody wants to be right now. For Rodgers, he would go to a place where you would assume he would continue to have major pull in the front office. However, maybe this time, they would be more willing to help him out.
8. New York Jets
The Jets just drafted BYU quarterback Zach Wilson with the second overall pick in this year's draft, which makes this move highly unlikely. However, if Rodgers really is looking to get out of Green Bay, every team would be foolish to not at least look into acquiring him. The Jets would have to give up a lot of picks, because they don't have a ton of big name talent already on their roster. Mortgaging their future for a 37-year old quarterback, may not be the smartest decision. However, bringing Rodgers into the number one media market for a couple seasons, and letting Wilson learn from him, would put butts into seats and may be a worthwhile short-sighted decision.
7. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns made the playoffs last season for the first time in nearly two decades, and I believe they have only gotten better this offseason. There is no question that this is a roster capable of winning a Super Bowl this year. However, there are still questions surrounding their quarterback Baker Mayfield. Baker is coming off his best season as a pro, but all eyes will be on him as he looks to not only duplicate that success, but surpass it. We all know a team's window for success is small, and a trade that involves Mayfield and Rodgers would make sense for both sides. Cleveland would get a proven winner that would make them the immediate favorites to win it all, and Green Bay would get a temporary solution at quarterback until their long term plan is figured out. Plus, Baker only has one-year left on his rookie deal, meaning both the Packers and Baker would have plenty of options depending on how the season plays out.
6. New Orleans Saints
The only reason this move doesn't make sense for the Saints, is because of the current youth movement happening in the NFL. However, that aside, this makes a ton of sense. The Saints are a good team, but now that Drew Brees has retired, they have no direction at quarterback. This move would allow the Saints to keep the winning momentum going. I don't think the future of the franchise is already on the roster, and early reports suggest that next year's draft has a weak quarterback class. We saw with Tom Brady in 2020 that bringing in a veteran player who can still perform at a high level could amount to immediate success. Plus, New Orleans has no shortage of playmakers on offense, and is far more attractive to free agents than Green Bay. However, this destination isn't higher on my list because it doesn't make a ton of sense for the Packers organization. Any deal for Rodgers will have to include multiple first round picks, but sending Rodgers to a talented team within the NFC may not be their ideal scenario. Either way, I would love to see this move. Rodgers versus Brady at least twice a year? Yes, please.
5. Washington Football Team
Right now, the Washington football team is going with Ryan Fitzpatrick as their presumptive starter. In a lackluster NFC East, that may be enough for them to get to the playoffs. However, now that Aaron Rodgers is potentially in the mix, Washington should be doing everything they can to get him in the building. Washington has no identity on offense, but one of the most talented defensive rosters in the NFL. Adding Rodgers would not only energize the fanbase, but would almost guarantee that they make the playoffs every year for the next half decade.
4. New York Giants
Insert most of what I said about Washington here, but the difference is that the Giants have more offensive talent and a younger quarterback. For Rodgers, he would get big bucks to go play in a weak division and the biggest media market in the country. He would inherit a top three running back in the league in Saquon Barkley, a dynamic receiving corps, two proven NFL tight-ends, a budding defense, and a young promising head coach. Plus, the Giants would be able to send Daniel Jones, who they are unsure of, somewhere else for picks in return.
3. Las Vegas Raiders
When you think of flashy, you think of the Las Vegas Raiders. But since moving to Sin City, the Raiders have really lacked star power, aside from head coach Jon Gruden. The Raiders are reportedly on Rodgers' short list of teams that he interested in, and the feeling should be mutual. In an ideal world, the Raiders would deal Derek Carr, Henry Ruggs and multiple draft picks to Green Bay for Rodgers. The Raiders would get the star power they crave, and would immediately become a championship contender. Aaron would go back to the west coast where he is from, and a team he reportedly wants to be on. Plus, the Packers would get a quarterback who is proven in the league, who plays similarly to Aaron, another dynamic weapon on offense, and picks for the future. Plus, if Jordan Love can play, they would then be able to trade Carr for more picks down the road. But if Love can't play, you already have an established signal caller in the building. It's a win, win, win.
2. Denver Broncos
This is the team everyone is saying is the front-runner to land Aaron Rodgers, and with good reason. The Broncos are desperate to land a franchise quarterback, and given the competition within their own division, they need to get someone who can compete with Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes. The Broncos are another team that Rodgers has reported interest in playing for, so you know he would be happy. For the Broncos, they've already seen this story play out. This reminds me of Peyton Manning signing there in 2012, and we all know how that worked out for them. As for the Packers, by making this move they would acquire draft picks, a potentially explosive playmaker like wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, and be able to ship Rodgers out to the AFC to a very competitive division. That means it's not a guarantee that he becomes a consistent playoff threat. Plus, they would be doing right by their franchise quarterback who has done so much for them.
1. Miami Dolphins
This is the move that interests me the most. The Dolphins have a deep roster and a good, young head coach in Brian Flores. They just drafted quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick of last year's draft, but after a shaky rookie season, there are concerns about if he is the right guy. A trade for Rodgers that includes Tua, draft picks and perhaps wide receiver DeVante Parker would make sense for both sides. Rodgers would go to a team with great weather and that is ready to win now. The Dolphins would also get their missing piece at quarterback. Plus, the Packers would add a talented young quarterback in Tua to compete with Jordan Love for the starting role. The organization would then be able to trade whoever loses that battle for some compensation, although not much. In addition, the 1st round picks the team would acquire, plus the already established starters, could set the team up for future success, all while sending Rodgers to the AFC to compete against a talented Buffalo Bills squad, Bill Belichick and the Patriots, and the rebuilding New York Jets.
Comments