NFL teams skeptical Green Bay Packers’ receive a strong return in Aaron Rodgers trade

As the NFL world awaits an official decision from quarterback Aaron Rodgers regarding his future, the Green Bay Packers’ willingness to move the future Hall of Famer might not be met by overwhelming interest.

After returning from a darkness retreat, the four-time NFL MVP indicated he still hasn’t determined his plans for the 2023 season. He is weighing retirement, playing for Green Bay next season or asking for a trade to a contender.

Aaron Rodgers career stats: 103.6 QB rating, 59,055 pass yards, 475 passing touchdowns

Just a year removed from making Rodgers one of the highest-paid NFL quarterbacks ever, the Packers are now very willing to move off him. The franchise wants to turn the offense over to quarterback Jordan Love, who the coaching staff and front office believe is ready to be a quality starter and fits perfectly into Matt LaFleur’s scheme.

While several NFL teams are interested in acquiring the 39-year-old quarterback, it’s now believed that Green Bay might not get back what it wants in a trade.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, multiple teams believe it isn’t worth trading a first-round pick for Rodgers because of his contract and indecisiveness.

“It only takes one, but I’ve talked to a couple teams who think, because of Rodgers’s haul of nearly $60 million for 2023, Green Bay won’t get a first-round pick for its future Hall of Fame quarterback.”.
Albert Breer on the potential return for the Green Bay Packers in an Aaron Rodgers trade this offseason

Depending on the NFL team, trading a first-round pick for Rodgers is a bad decision. Teams like the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans would be mortgaging their future for a quarterback upgrade that still won’t make them a viable Super Bowl threat in 2023.

Any club that acquires Rodgers is also taking a massive risk. He has now contemplated retirement in each of the past three offseasons, seemingly getting closer to walking away from football permanently with each passing year.

Aaron Rodgers contract: $31.62 million cap hit (2023), $40.7 million cap hit (’24), $59.3 million cap hit (’25), $53.45 million cap hit (’26)

Because of how the Packers structured the contract extension in 2022, trading him this offseason is financially viable for the club. However, any organization that lands him would face massive cap hits in future seasons whenever he retires.

Between the regression he showed last season and his uncertain future, trading for one of the oldest players in the NFL would be a significant gamble. As Breer mentioned, it only takes one team to pay the Packers’ asking price. If Green Bay wants a first-round pick, though, the Jets might be the only option.