3 Packers replacements for Aaron Rodgers not named Jordan Love
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 27: Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers #12 and Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers lead the team onto the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 27, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
If Aaron Rodgers does retire, does that mean the Packers will automatically turn to Jordan Love?
The most obvious answer to this question is yes. Love was drafted in the first round in 2020 in part to be the heir-apparent to Aaron Rodgers. To not allow him that opportunity is to admit he’s not ready, and thus a poor selection and bad decision. Brian Gutekunst doesn’t seem like the type to admit defeat that quickly.
But, let’s play devil’s advocate here.
Green Bay wouldn’t have to immediately hand the ball over to Love. There are plenty of quarterbacks available this offseason, and if Rodgers does retire or head elsewhere, the Packers will have options. If Rodgers wants to finish his career with another team, for example, they’ll have to trade him. While they’d surely receive plenty of draft capital in return, they could also acquire a few players, like another QB, for example.
Much of this is pretty farfetched at the moment, as we don’t know what Rodgers is thinking. No. 12 walked off the field with Randall Cobb just a few days ago in what looked to be an emotional moment, and would not give his jersey to Lions wide receive Jameson Williams, saying instead that he wanted to keep this one.
It’s sketchy, but it’s not definitive.
NFL rumors: Could the Packers trade for Derek Carr?
There are a few scenarios where this could go down, but the most likely would be if No. 12 wants an opportunity to finish his career with another organization, ala Tom Brady. Brady left in free agency. Rodgers, meanwhile, is under contract, so he’d need to be traded.
Dealing a franchise icon is not easy, but it would be a profitable move for Green Bay. Trading Rodgers would free up cap room. An easy suitor would be the Las Vegas Raiders, who are in need of an established quarterback and already have Rodgers favorite weapon, Davante Adams, in tow.
Things didn’t work out this past season with Derek Carr, and the Raiders are expected to shop him this offseason. Why not swap the two, with Vegas throwing in some draft capital to make up the difference? It’s about the only way Rodgers will end up in Vegas, and Carr in Green Bay.
A trade is farfetched, but it’s definitely a possibility given how the past few offseasons have gone for the Packers. Tensions are rising.
