The first two rounds of this evergreen Aaron Rodgers-The Packers drama produced fireworks — especially in the 2021 offseason — but no breakup. Although Rodgers’ headlines have been an NFL constant for the past three years, round three is upon us.
After two years of retiring and finding common ground, Rodgers and the Packers are both aware that the long-rumored divorce may finally bear fruit. For the Packers Rodgers to act sometime this offseason is a “very real scenario,” reports ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Video shortcut).
A deal would be complicated due to Rodgers’ complex extension, which was agreed in March 2022, and would not be expected to involve NFC suitors. The Packers can only be expected to send the four-time MVP to the AFC, adds Schefter (video shortcut). Rodgers was linked with AFC teams — primarily the Broncos — for two offseasons, but he made things right with the Packers two years ago and signed the three-year, $150.8 million extension months later. Denver moved on, over the Russell Wilson Trade, but other AFCers will be interested to see if Rodgers really becomes a trade chip.
Rodgers, 39, is owed a $58.3 million bonus payment this year, and although the future Hall of Famer said he hasn’t committed to playing a 19th season, it would be quite surprising if he did given the money would go into this equation. Structured as an option bonus, the monster payout means just a $31.6 million cap hit — if Rodgers is a packer in 2023. However, if Rodgers is dealt, the team acquiring the superstar passer would have him on their books at just $15.79 million in 2023. That will add to the aging QB’s commercial value.
Because the option can be paid for anytime before the season, the Packers have months to decide on a trade. However, Rodgers, dealt early, would help him adjust to his next team and give the Packers more time to prepare for Love’s first starter season. The Packers would be best served trading their current starter after June 1 if the dead-money hit was just $15.8 million (along with a $24.5 million fee in the year 2024). A trade before June 1st would mark the pack with a dead cap hit of $40.3M.
Rodgers said a contract adjustment would need to be made in order for him to play in 2023, citing the nearly $60 million bonus, but he’s open to such a move to accommodate the Packers or another team.
“Because of COVID there are a lot of teams that are ailing and you see them putting more money into deals with a lot of different contracts‘ Rodgers said during his last Pat McAfee Show Appearance (via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky). “TThey create empty years to allow for easier capping, so some adjustments would certainly need to be made.”
Matt La Fleur said he wants Rodgers back, and Brian Gutekunst had no prospect of a trade earlier this month. But the sixth-year GM noticed Jordan love is ready to play. Green Bay has until May to decide on the former first-rounder’s fully guaranteed 2024 option. Gutekunst said a scenario in which the team rolls out a Rodgers-Love depth chart for a fourth straight year is in play, but a trade would both clear a love path and provide the Packers with valuable draft capital. The Packers can be expected to demand at least two first-round picks, writes NBC Sports’ Peter King.
Of course, by trading Rodgers, the Packers would risk a sharp drop in QB quality. The franchise has listed Hall of Fame-tied talent at the position since 1992. It did, however, run the Brett Favre-to-Rodgers handover – a clunky but effective baton that came ahead of Favre’s 39-year season – by selling Favre to the Jets during training camp in 2008. Rodgers turned 39 last month. The 15-year-old Packers starter fell from first in QBR in 2021 to 26th this season. Green Bay’s deteriorated receiver situation contributed to that dip — during a season that included zero 300-yard passing performances and thumb, knee, and rib injuries — but Rodgers’ worth might not have been what he was worth, when the trading theme first surfaced ahead of the 2021 draft.
There is no no-trade clause in Rodgers’ contract, but he would certainly sign his target before the Packers transferred him. The Jets traded for Favre during ownership Woody JohnsonOwnership of , has long been associated with acquiring a veteran. The Raiders have been linked with a reunion Josh McDaniels with Tom Brady or Jimmy Garoppolo, but they were linked to Rodgers two years ago. Receiver-wise, the Titans’ situation is reminiscent of Rodgers’ Green Bay setup. But they also make sense as suitors. A few teams will be interested, and if Rodgers is an AFC-only trade play, it’s going up Derek Carrthe odds of being dealt to an NFC team. However, Carr and Garoppolo are slated to be available in February and March, respectively. It can take longer for a Team Rodgers to land.
Taking the time to trade with Rodgers for money reasons, the pack would present potential prospects with important decisions. As the franchises look to cement their QB situations through April, the latest round of Rodgers trade grumblings could dominate another offseason.
