Three weeks away from the June 1 date when an Aaron Rodgers trade becomes financially realistic, the Packers have not deviated from their anti-trade stance. The parties’ impasse, however, continues to lead to noise within the AFC West.
Although the Packers shut down Rodgers trade inquiries during the first night of the draft, which came hours after the reigning MVP’s desire to leave Green Bay surfaced, the Broncos began discussing the level of offer it would take to acquire Rodgers at that point, James Palmer of NFL.com notes (video link).
[RELATED: Broncos To Aggressively Pursue Aaron Rodgers?]
Some within the Broncos organization view a Rodgers trade as a realistic possibility, Palmer adds. The team has the combination of cap space — second-most in the NFL, behind Jacksonville — along with a promising group of young pass catchers and a glaring quarterback need. While this would be a historically unusual trade, given Rodgers’ talent and age, early prospective proposals have included two first-round picks, a future second-rounder and at least one notable player. The Broncos have four starter-caliber wide receivers and, having drafted Patrick Surtain II ninth overall, can match that at cornerback. Though, the team is not viewed as being especially open to including its recent first-round pick in any potential offers.
It is not clear yet if the Broncos have any stiff competition for Rodgers, in the event his stalemate with the Packers leads to true trade talks. The Browns are not interested in ditching Baker Mayfield, and a trade to an NFC team would certainly be less palatable for the Packers. Rodgers-Raiders connections have been surprisingly scarce since Las Vegas was mentioned as a preferable destination for the 16-year veteran.
Jon Gruden has said passing on Rodgers in 2005, when he was the Buccaneers’ head coach and selected Cadillac Williams fifth overall, is one of the greatest regrets of his lifetime. It would stand to reason the Raiders would pursue Rodgers, given Gruden’s annual flirtations with potential Derek Carr upgrades. However, the Gruden-Carr relationship may have improved to the point the passer can be somewhat comfortable in Vegas. Gruden is currently “very happy” with Carr, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com notes, adding that a trade for Rodgers can be viewed as unlikely.
Carr, 30, has posted back-to-back top-11 QBR finishes since 2019 — something Rodgers did not do, though he did lead the league in the metric in 2020 — and has a manageable contract that runs through 2022. It would be a surprise if the Raiders were not at least in the mix for Rodgers, but it certainly sounds like the Broncos are closer to making a legitimate offer for the disgruntled superstar.
#1 reason why I love the game, never ending stories! We all know some ‘surprise’ team will beat Den to the punch. My hope its DC!
As a Giants fan, I would be pretty scared to see him on WFT. They would have to give up a lot, though. But they would own the weak NFC East.
Yeah, somewhere with a garbage WR room….. thats likely to happen.
The Raiders are a great team for an agent to throw out for any deal, since the Raiders will not confirm or deny any rumor. Jon Gruden will not say a bad thing about any player and makes them all believe they are an upgrade.
I firmly believe that there are probable two to three teams that no one has linked to Rodgers if his honest desire is to leave.
Given the injuries that Theismann, Griffin and Smith experienced in DC, I think it would probably be the last place Rodgers would want to go.
I’m not sure D.C. itself inflicted those injuries. The team’s better now, but I don’t see Rodgers ending up there.
Make all the offers you wish Denver, GB won’t even start to listen until he doesn’t report to mandatory workouts/practices. Until then, they’re gonna keep trying to change his mind.
Well, nothing’s gonna happen til June at the earliest. And whatever the Packers are saying publicly, you can bet they’re listening to offers out of due diligence, should worse come to worse.
Packer fan says take highest offer. He’s still great, no doubt about it. But for maybe 2-3 years. Do it now. Get best offer and let the chips fall with 2 or 3 first round picks and a quality starter.
I agree.
The NFL thinks 40 year old QB’s are the way to win a super bowl after Brady.
When the trend reverses, teams will want 1st round picks.
Packers are better off getting a big haul, then wasting his value.
the colts aren’t doing themselves any favors.
Or they could, you know get value by trying to win the super bowl
IF he’s there. Still to be determined.
I agree with you the Packer’s need to get the best offer and move on. And I have been a Hugh Packer fan for over 60 years.
It’ll be interesting to see the schedule tomorrow.
The chiefs play the packers this year. I’d imagine that will be a prime time game. But it’ll be a dud if Aaron isn’t on the packers then. Maybe one Broncos chiefs game will also be prime time just in case
Don’t most of the networks have the ability to flex games on the schedule once in a while?
Just Sunday night football.
Monday nights stay on the schedule as is. Thursday’s too
If Rodgers goes to Denver, the AFC west will have the best QB’s of any division.
Rodgers, Mahomes, Carr, Herbert.
A lot of talent.
Gruden always likes the QB that isn’t his. Carr is a top 11 QB and makes $20/mill, which is under market value. Gruden is beginning to come off as a baby.
Beginning to come off as a baby? The guy who rants and pouts whenever he doesn’t get what he wants?
He’s Cartman if he looked like Butters.
Gruden is an opportunist. Rodgers is the freaking baby.
Packers get 3 1sts and a player for Rodgers. Turn around and trade for Watson once he gets out of jail.
Will Watson still be in game shape in 2041?
Would George Paton have enough clout in Denver to even pursue such a trade? The Vikings track record while he was there was pretty average. I think the Broncos would want to get the ownership issues in the rear view mirror before trying a move as audacious as this.