What Would Potential Aaron Rodgers Trades Look Like?

 This off-season has been crazy for changing the landscape of the game for the players at the most important position in the league. We saw former top picks Jared Goff and Matt Stafford swapped for each other. We saw former no. 2 pick Carson Wentz head to Indy. We still don't know whats to come in the Deshaun Watson situation. We even had a crazy month or so where a Russell Wilson deal looked likely. Now what we are starting to hear is that the most recent league MVP Aaron Rodgers never wants to play for Green Bay again. Today we look at teams that could potentially make the move for Aaron Rodgers and what they would have to give up to get him.

Denver Broncos:

What they would have to give up: OLB Von Miller, 2022, 23, and 24' first round draft picks, QB Drew Lock

This might seem like so much to give up for Denver but in reality, this is the kind of compensation it would take to bring in Rodgers. We've heard Denver is one of 3 landing spots that Rodgers would really like to go to and the team is really a QB away from being a contender so we find this spot the most likely. Not only this, the Broncos are one of the most cap abundant teams right now and could afford to take on Rodgers' monster contract. Von Miller is getting up there and age and the team has been rumored to be trying to move him for some time now. I think the Packers would be happy to get him. It would also cost 3 first round picks heading to Green Bay and the team's current starter in Drew Lock. Even though this is so much to give up, I really would like this move for Denver. The roster they have now is literally only missing a QB. It would be like when Peyton Manning arrived and lead the Broncos to a Super Bowl.

Las Vegas Raiders:

What they would have to give up: QB Derek Carr, 2022, 23, and 24' first round draft picks

Another team that Aaron Rodgers is reportedly intrigued by is the LV Raiders. If I'm the Raiders, I know this a lot to give up and I know the team really likes Derek Carr at QB, but you have to make this move. The Raiders had a pretty bad off-season and coach-GM duo Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock could be on the hot seat very soon if the team does not start winning. That being said, if the team works out this deal, they would be an instant contender. The team has a nice offensive set of weapons with young talents like Josh Jacobs and Henry Ruggs and an up and coming defense as well. You do lose out on three first round tickets to better your future but this team needs to win now. Jon Gruden didn't come out of retirement for a 15 year rebuild. The Packers should also do this deal if it is offered because you get 3 first round picks and a Pro Bowl caliber to replace Rodgers right away. The Packers could still contend with Carr at the helm and use the extra firsts to retool instead of rebuild around Carr.

Washington Football Team

What they would have to give up: 2022, 23, and 24' first round draft picks, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, OLB Montez Sweat

This was not one of the teams that Rodgers has listed as a preferred landing spot, but it could be the most exciting fit of the list so far. The WFT took a major step forward last year as they made the playoffs and gave Tom Brady and the Bucs a tough go in round 1. They have one of the league's best defensive units. However, QB is really the only position they don't have set for the future and that is sort of an issue considering its the most important spot on the team. They would have to give up the 'base' 3 first round picks and then their current starter Ryan Fitzpatrick and promising young piece Montez Sweat. Fitzpatrick seems to be an ageless wonder and would provide the Packers a bridge-gap starter while they continue to develop Jordan Love. They could still contend for another year or 2 with Fitz. Sweat is also a nice young talent that is starting to develop into a decent pass rusher. I think the Packers would want him included in this deal as well. For the Football Team, what a move this would be. Ron Rivera would have them as one of the Super Bowl favorites. The offense would be lethal with the weapons Antonio Gibson, Terry McLaurin, and Curtis Samuel to give to Rodgers. We already know about that defense. The Football Team should REALLY try and make this happen.

Philadelphia Eagles

What they would have to give up: QB Jalen Hurts, 2022, 23, and 24' first round draft picks, TE Zach Ertz

Out of all the potential Aaron Rodgers suitors, I think the Eagles could be a darkhorse contender for him. While everything they have done this off-season shows that they are committed to Jalen Hurts for at least this season, behind closed doors I would not be shocked if the team was looking for potential trade options. The Eagles would have a nice package to offer with the 3 firsts, Hurts to be Green Bay's potential starter of the future, and TE Zach Ertz to make the money work better and actually give GB a potential TE1. The Eagles would be so much improved by adding Rodgers and would quickly become a playoff contender. The reason I don't see this trade happening as much as I do with the others is because the Eagles with Rodgers remind me of Green Bay. They have a decent team but nothing insane that would surround Rodgers. The Football Team or even Denver surround Rodgers will elite supporting talent. The Eagles do not. Still, I think if the Packers become willing to move Rodgers and some teams aren't offering what it takes, I could see the Eagles swooping in and paying the price that it takes to acquire Aaron Rodgers and pair him with their new first rounder Devonta Smith.

Pittsburgh Steelers

What they would have to give up: WR Chase Claypool, 2022, 23, and 24' first round draft picks, QB Ben Roethlisberger

What a crazy trade this would be. We would see two of the greatest QBs of the 2000s be moved for each other. While Rodgers and Big Ben are nowhere near the same level of play in 2021, Big Ben would likely have to be involved in this trade to make the money work. The Steelers would also have to make the tough call of giving up budding superstar WR Chase Claypool up in the swap. For Pitt, it's a lot to give up, but it is instant worth the trade. The Steelers would potentially become the AFC Super Bowl favorites (even over KC)! That defense plus Aaron Rodgers...good luck everyone else. Rodgers would also have Najee Harris out of the backfield and still a really good set of outside threats in Juju Smith and co. The Packers would be getting the 3 firsts which are the main point of the deal but also finally that stud no. 2 wideout to Davante Adams. A Claypool and Adams duo would be one of the league's best. The team would also have Big Ben for a year and he could have them contend for one more year before handing things off to Jordan Love in 2022. I would actually like this move a lot for both sides but I just don't consider it as likely as some of the other moves listed above. This list is somewhat in order of which moves I think are more likely first to less likely at the bottom just because I feel like the Steelers wouldn't be willing to give up what it takes to land Rodgers.

San Fransisco 49ers

What they would have to give up: QB Trey Lance, 2022 & 2023 first round draft picks

Out of the 6 deals on this list, this is by far the least likely but I thought why not add it in. The Niners were one of the 3 teams Aaron Rodgers saw as a preferred destination and the team reportedly even offered the no. 3 pick in the draft and more in an attempt to land Rodgers. Ultimately, the Packers were not willing it move him at that time and so the Niners went ahead and selected Trey Lance with that pick. While I'm almost sure that Lance takes them out of the Rodgers sweepstakes, there is still a part of me that thinks the teams could come back together and discuss trading Lance and more to send Rodgers to the Bay area. The Niners would probably become the instant favorites to win the NFC and would roll out one of the scariest lineups we've ever seen. The Packers would get multiple firsts in return to build for the future and get Trey Lance who would surely be their QB of the future. While I don't consider this move likely at all, I'm not completely ruling it out.