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Aaron Rodgers Rumors: Latest on Packers QB's Trade Value amid Raiders Buzz
February 5, 2023
As Aaron Rodgers continues to waffle about his future in football, teams interested in trading for the three-time MVP have expressed some hesitation about acquiring him from the Green Bay Packers without a firm timetable on his playing future.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said any team that trades for Rodgers "probably wants at least a two-year commitment."
"Here's the issue, probably the biggest issue to me that I would talk to the teams, is how long is he going to play?" Fowler said Sunday on SportsCenter. "So, if he's only going to play a year and he's been sort of year-to-year in Green Bay, that creates an issue for the new team that probably wants at least a two-year commitment. So, execs I've talked to believe that the draft compensation could be based on conditional draft picks where the future draft capital gets stronger if he were to only play one year."
The Las Vegas Raiders have been the team most heavily rumored in recent days, with former Packers wideout Davante Adams even clamoring for a reunion on social media. Green Bay hasn't outright said it's shopping its longtime franchise quarterback, but it's clear the team is considering moving on.
"It's going to require heavy draft capital. Execs I talk to believe that a first-round pick, and possibly more, will at least be part of the discussion to get into the door," Fowler said of Rodgers' trade value. "And then, you're talking about cap space. He's got a cap hit for a new team of about close to $16 million in year one, which is actually pretty manageable. You mention the Raiders, they have a decent amount of cap space, around $17 million right now, so they could make that work, squeeze that in a little bit."
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Packers "prefer to move on from Rodgers" because of the financial constraints of his contract. Rodgers' unique contract structure—he has a $58.3 million roster bonus that's guaranteed but allows some flexibility on its exercise date—allows Green Bay to explore a deal now rather than taking on a potential $99.8 million dead cap hit.
The Raiders face major questions at quarterback as Derek Carr prepares to leave the franchise. Las Vegas benched Carr for the final two games of the 2022 regular season after he spent nine years as the team's starting quarterback.
While it's somewhat possible the Raiders decide to hold onto Carr, it's far more likely he's traded or released by Feb. 15, the date his $32.9 million salary for the 2023 season guarantees. Tom Brady's retirement threw a monkey wrench into potential plans for the Raiders, given the franchise's New England ties that made Brady a natural fit to replace Carr.
That said, it's unlikely Josh McDaniels and Co. move forward with a young quarterback. The Raiders offense, equipped with Adams, a top tight end in Darren Waller and the NFL's leading rusher in Josh Jacobs (a free agent but likely franchise tag candidate), is begging for a top veteran to come into the fold and put them over the top.
Rodgers might just be the answer to those concerns.