Packers' Top Hypothetical Trade Packages for Aaron Rodgers

Another NFL offseason means another few months of Aaron Rodgers trade speculation for the Green Bay Packers.

The 39-year-old quarterback is coming off a disappointing season in which the Packers went 8-9 and missed the playoffs. After three straight seasons of winning 13 games, it would make sense the Packers might be willing to move on.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently shed some light on the situation. He reported that "a trade feels more possible than ever," but that Rodgers' "year-to-year approach to playing could complicate trade talks".

Rodgers has yet to make an official decision that he will even play next season. But it appears that once that decision is made, there's a good chance it won't be happening in Green Bay.

Despite the relatively disappointing season, there is sure to be some market for him. After all, he's just a year removed from an MVP season.

So as the Packers potentially look to move on from the Rodgers era, here are three hypothetical packages that could provide the best possible return.

New York Jets

Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

Robert Saleh needs to take the Jets to new heights in his third season.

Packers Receive: 2023 second-round pick (No. 44 overall), 2023 fourth-round pick (No. 113 overall), 2025 conditional second-round pick (becomes a first if Rodgers plays in 2024)

Jets Receive: QB Aaron Rodgers

Russell Wilson probably ruined any chance the Packers had of getting a king's ransom for Rodgers. After watching the Denver Broncos fork over three players and five draft picks (including two first-rounders) only for Wilson's production to fall off a cliff, there aren't many teams that are going to be willing to part with multiple firsts for Rodgers at this point.

Ironically enough, it's Nathaniel Hackett's presence in New York that would make them comfortable paying up with some draft capital to get Rodgers. The marriage of Hackett and Wilson did not work in Denver, but Hackett has already shown to have great chemistry with Rodgers.

Still, Fowler brought up a good idea to offset the team's concerns about Rodgers' indecision around playing every year. At least one of the picks could be conditional based on him playing for two years.

In this case, the Jets give up two second-rounders and a fourth-round pick, but the other second-round selection becomes a first if Rodgers ends up starting for the Jets for two seasons.

It makes sense the Jets would be willing to move all-in on a quarterback. They showed tremendous growth as a team in Robert Saleh's third year. They went from 4-13 to 7-10, but they have to get much better play at the quarterback position to make the leap to playoff team.

Rodgers could be the quarterback who puts everything together for them over the next season or two and secures Saleh's job.

Las Vegas Raiders

Gaelen Morse/Getty Images

Darren Waller could be an interesting trade chip for the Raiders.

Packers Receive: TE Darren Waller, 2023 second-round pick (No. 39 overall), 2025 conditional second-round pick (becomes a first if Rodgers plays in 2024)

Raiders Receive: QB Aaron Rodgers

The case for the Raiders being interested in Aaron Rodgers is simple. They've all but shown Derek Carr the door, and you don't let that caliber of quarterback go without a backup plan.

Whether that backup plan is Rodgers remains to be seen, but it's one of the few options that would elevate the team's potential.

A trade package that would include Carr could be interesting. The Packers would have to be out on Jordan Love to be interested, and the veteran quarterback would have to waive his no-trade clause to go to Green Bay.

Neither of those possibilities seems likely, so instead, the Raiders might have to include another veteran if they want to get a deal done.

Darren Waller was only healthy for nine games this season, but he took a reduced role in the Raiders' offense even when he was on the field. He only saw 4.8 targets per game, averaging three catches for 43.1 yards.

With Waller heading into his age-30 season and struggling to find targets in the Raiders' Davante Adams-focused passing game, he could use a change of scenery.

The Packers would benefit from more weapons for Love if he's going to have success in his first year as the starter. Including a weapon like Waller could give them an advantage over other Rodgers suitors.

Washington Commanders

Todd Olszewski/Getty Images

Terry McLaurin could take off with Aaron Rodgers on the roster.

Packers Receive: 2023 first-round pick (No. 16 overall), 2023 third-round pick (No. 98 overall)

Commanders Receive: QB Aaron Rodgers

Ron Rivera will enter his fourth season with the Washington Commanders in search of his first winning season in the nation's capital. That's the kind of desperation that could have the coach and front office willing to take a big swing.

After all, this is the franchise that traded for Carson Wentz last season.

The Commanders could take the patient route and start Sam Howell next season. The rookie started the last game of the season, and the Commanders won while he went 11-of-19 for 169 yards and a touchdown with a pick.

That might not be enough to lock down the starting job in 2023. In this scenario, the Commanders come in with an offer that features the 16th pick in the 2023 draft. It's likely not early enough for them to find a quarterback prospect they like enough to wager the future on, but it doesn't hurt their draft capital moving forward.

For the Packers, it's a chance to add another difference-maker through the draft right now.

Any of the three teams could put together a trade package like this, although the Raiders giving up the seventh pick seems unlikely as it's much more valuable than the 13th pick the Jets own or the 16th they get in this trade.

Still, with Curtis Samuel, Terry McLaurin, Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson in the fold, it should be easy for Rivera to field an explosive offense that could compete in a suddenly tough NFC East.