Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers emerged from his darkness retreat last week. It’s the latest indication that the Green Bay Packers star is nearing a decision on his future.
As you likely already know, the 39-year-old Rodgers is deciding between sticking it out in Green Bay, requesting a trade or retiring altogether following a down 2022 season.
Typically, someone of Rodgers’ ilk would have teams banging down the door to acquire his services. We’re just not seeing this as the process plays out behind the scenes.
Peter King of NBC Sports played into this narrative with a recent report suggesting that a few of the several quarterback-needy teams around the league prefer to land a potential franchise quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft rather than make a play for either Rodgers or fellow veteran Derek Carr.
King specifically points to the Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers, all of whom are picking within the top-10 of the draft.
There are several layers to this report. First off, Houston was never going to be a likely landing spot for Aaron Rodgers. It currently boasts the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. This will guarantee the Texans one of Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, the top-two quarterbacks in the annual event.
However, the Raiders’ inclusion is rather interesting. They have long been linked to Rodgers after opting to move on from the aforementioned Carr. Rodgers’ former teammate with the Packers, Davante Adams, continues to play the recruiting game, too. Selecting seventh overall, recent indications are that the Raiders are not going to give up the farm in a trade for Rodgers.
General manager Dave Ziegler touched on this recently, indicating that Vegas’ quarterback situation might not be completely settled in 2023.
“We’re in charge of filling the most important position on the team. There’s some pressure that comes along with that and however we fill it, it doesn’t mean we’re going to have an immediate answer this year … I believe we’re going to win here.
I believe we’re going to build something that’s coming to compete for championships and get us to where we want to go. I’m not going to do anything and divert from that because I’m scared of something to ‘trying to buy two more years because I do this or that.’ That’s not how I’m wired. I’m not going to go down like that.”
Raiders GM on QB situation
In addition to Rodgers, the Raiders have been linked to impending free agents such as Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett. Both would be seen as stopgap options. They also have a built-in relationship with the Raiders’ brass dating back to their days together with the New England Patriots. This is what complicates the entire Rodgers situation.
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Aaron Rodgers trade market might be limited
King pointed to the Panthers as one of the teams that is not looking to add a top-end veteran this offseason. With Frank Reich aboard and boasting one of the top young defenses in the NFL, it has long been believed that Carolina would go the veteran route.
If it is indeed out of the market, there’s going to be some limitations to Rodgers’ trade talks should he decide playing for another team outside of Green Bay is in the cards.
As of right now, the New York Jets are the team that’s been most linked to the future Hall of Fame signal caller. Their owner, Woody Johnson, has made no bones about it. Then again, New York just met with the aforementioned Carr and seems to be enthralled with the idea of adding him to the mix.
- Aaron Rodgers stats (2022): 65% completion, 3,695 yards, 26 TD, 12 INT, 91.1 QB rating
Complicating things further is Green Bay reported asking price of at least two first-round picks and Rodgers’ contract. He will also have to work out a restructure in order to help facilitate a trade.
Meanwhile, the enigmatic signal caller is coming off his worst statistical performance since his first season as a starter back in 2008.
There’s a chance teams such as the Washington Commanders, San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints could get involved in trade talks for Aaron Rodgers. But short of that happening, it does seem as if his market is shrinking with a decision on the quarterback’s future looming.
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