It’s time for the Packers to consider trading Aaron Rodgers
I never would’ve written those words a week ago, but after the news came out that Aaron Rodgers wants out of Green Bay, it is probably best that the Packers grant that wish. Of course they should try everything they can to make him happy, but if that can’t be done, they need to just trade him.
If making Rodgers happy is a goal of the Packers, they probably didn’t help their case when they used their first-round pick on a defensive player, selecting cornerback Eric Stokes out of Georgia. That makes 8 of the last 9 first-round draft picks defensive players. The one that wasn’t a defensive player? Last year when the Packers took quarterback Jordan Love to be the “replacement” for Aaron Rodgers one day.
Granted, talent doesn’t just come from the draft. That being said, the Packers aren’t usually overly aggressive in free agency. Not only that, they tend to let a lot of their talent walk away when the big paydays come knocking.
The Packers probably took Jordan Love in last year’s NFL Draft assuming that Aaron Rodgers was going to be washed-up soon. Instead, Aaron Rodgers was the MVP of 2020 season.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst came out late Thursday night and straight up said that they will not trade Aaron Rodgers.
The problem with that is that he may have his hand forced in the matter. NFL players are starting to gain more control, very similar to the NBA. Whether that’s a good or a bad thing for the sport is a debate for another day. Quarterbacks more specifically are the ones who have more and more power in the NFL. They constantly have all the leverage. I could definitely see a future soon where big time quarterbacks will force their way out if they are unhappy with the coaching staff or front office.
In fact, if it weren’t for all of the allegations that Deshaun Watson has been facing, we probably would have seen him traded to another team. Before the allegations started coming, he was the next QB to go after the Lions traded Matt Stafford.
It was also rumored that Russell Wilson wanted out of Seattle, but they seemingly have come to an understanding because those rumors were put to rest within a week. Perhaps the same will happen with Aaron Rodgers. Something tells me it won’t, though.
Rodgers wasn’t informed that the Packers would be taking a quarterback in the first-round of the 2020 draft. It seems that is where some of the disconnect is. He might’ve been okay with it if he was informed on the decision. Instead, he was blindsided by the pick. If anyone would understand that position, it’s Aaron Rodgers. He was the Jordan Love to Brett Favre once upon a time.
The way the 2020 season ended for the Green Bay Packers can’t help matters, either. Instead of allowing the NFL MVP try and make a play to get a touchdown on fourth-and-goal, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur made the decision to kick a field goal. A move that was questionable, because that made the game 31–26 with under two minutes left in the game, meaning the Packers would still need a touchdown to possibly win the game. They never got the ball back and the Buccaneers would end up win the game.
Rodgers made it clear that it was 100% not his decision to kick a field goal on that play and that he thought they’d be going for it on fourth down. Since the Packers drafted Love, Rodgers has been pretty open about him not finishing his career in Green Bay. Once that thought has entered his mind, it made the news that broke on Thursday less surprising.
The two teams that are apparently interested in trading for Rodgers are the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos. The Broncos would be a nice fit for numerous reasons, but one for Rodgers in particular is his fiancé, Shailene Woodley, is rumored to live in Boulder, Colorado. Happy wife (to be), happy life as they say.
The Raiders would be a ton of fun because we’re talking about a city like Las Vegas in a brand new stadium that no fans have really gotten to see.
The Packers would probably avoid trading him to any NFC team, so the Broncos and Raiders would work out. Not many other teams need a quarterback or are ready to win yet the way those two teams are.
Rodgers has been carrying the Packers on his back for the majority of his career. He has help pop up from time to time, but never has had the support as someone of his caliber should have. Thus why he only has one Super Bowl win.
Maybe this is all smoke and just leverage for Rodgers to get more guaranteed money going forward, but it has added to the drama of the NFL Draft and offseason. And proves once again why the NFL is becoming a storyline sport all year round.
