Packers' Top Hypothetical Trade Packages for Aaron Rodgers
The Green Bay Packers are doing what they can to quash any talk of trading quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
In an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the Packers are steadfast in their desire to keep their franchise quarterback next year.
Rodgers went through an offseason of speculation and rumors that he wanted out of Green Bay last year. Now, in the final year of his contract, he's set to cost the team $46.7 million and it's time for the signal-caller and his longtime franchise to make a decision.
With the Packers $46.5 million over the salary cap, it's at least worth the team's while to look at getting a huge haul for Rodgers as it looks toward rebuilding around Jordan Love.
Considering the haul the Detroit Lions got in exchange for Matthew Stafford (two first-round picks, a third-round pick and Jared Goff) last offseason and just how good the reigning MVP is, here are three offers the Packers could receive.
Denver Broncos
Packers Receive: 2022 first-round pick (No. 9), 2022 second-round pick from Rams (projected No. 64), 2023 first-round pick, 2024 second-round pick, 2024 third-round pick
Broncos Receive: QB Aaron Rodgers, 2022 fourth-round pick
The Denver Broncos have been highlighted as a suitor for Rodgers throughout this process. It would allow the quarterback to move out West, the Packers could deal him to the AFC and the Broncos have enough cap space to make it work.
Add in the fact that they just hired former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their head coach, and it's easy to see the fit.
The Broncos are also uniquely positioned to put together a draft-pick package that wouldn't leave their cupboard bare. Thanks to the Von Miller trade, the Broncos have an extra second-and third-rounder in 2022.
That would allow Denver to throw in at least one of those in a package and still retain a selection in that round. In this scenario, including that 64th pick from the Rams would give the Packers' next draft class a big-enough boost they accept an additional second-rounder in 2024 instead of a third first-round pick.
The Lions had to take on Jared Goff's contract in the Stafford trade. This would allow Green Bay to take on no additional costs while giving them four premium picks to rebuild with.
Denver Broncos Part 2: Davante Adams Edition
Packers Receive: 2022 first-round pick (No. 9), 2022 second-round pick from Rams (projected No. 64), 2023 first-round pick, 2024 first-round pick, 2024 second-round pick, 2025 first-round pick, 2025 third-round pick and WR Jerry Jeudy
Broncos Receive: QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams, 2022 fourth-round pick, 2022 sixth-round pick, 2023 fifth-round pick
As if an Aaron Rodgers trade wouldn't be enough to blow up the internet, the potential for an Aaron Rodgers-Davante Adams package deal is the nuclear option.
Adams is set to hit free agency, although Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has reported that it is an "eventuality" that the wide receiver gets the franchise tag because the two sides haven't been able to come to terms on a long-term agreement.
The tag is expected to be around $20 million, per Rapoport. It's a hefty price for a team that is as over the cap as the Packers.
Should Adams want to follow Rodgers and the team comes to the conclusion that a long-term deal is out of the question, it could lead to an even bigger haul for the Packers.
The problem is that there isn't much precedent for a receiver of Adams' caliber getting traded while in his playing prime.
Losing one of the best receivers in the game would be a massive disappointment, but getting a young receiver like Jerry Jeudy and an even bigger haul of first-round picks in return would give them plenty of ammunition with which to restock the offense.
Las Vegas Raiders
Packers Receive: QB Derek Carr, 2022 first-round draft pick (No. 22 overall), third-round draft pick (No. 86 overall), 2023 first-round pick
Raiders Receive: QB Aaron Rodgers
If the Packers want to entice Adams to stay long term, this might be the deal to look into. The relationship between the Packers and Rodgers might be strained, but he is 38. There's no telling how much longer he will play or how long he can continue to be elite.
Ultimately, if Rodgers wants to leave, it might be best for the long-term future of the franchise to let him go and get something in return.
But Adams is one of the best players at his position and is only 29. Pairing Adams with his college quarterback could extend the life of the offense by five years. Last year, Adams told ABC30's Bri Mellon that it would "be a dream" to play with Carr again (h/t Nick Shook of NFL Media).
Carr is not Rodgers. If he were, this trade would make sense straight up. The Raiders would still have to part with some picks to make this work.
In this scenario, it would be a similar package to the one the Rams put together to get Stafford. Carr is much better than Goff, but that reflects the difference between Rodgers and Stafford.
This kind of trade making sense depending on what the Packers think of Jordan Love. If they still believe he's the future, they wouldn't want to make a deal for a veteran. If they are unsure, it would make sense to flip him for picks and a veteran replacement like Carr.
Cap information per Spotrac.