Aaron Rodgers to Denver

Author: Jack Casabonne

Editor: Mark Awadallah

With one of the most well-balanced rosters in the entire NFL, the Broncos are looking to compete for a playoff spot in 2021, and thus hope to improve upon their abysmal 2020 record of 5-11. To help with that, Denver will be getting star receiver Courtland Sutton back from his knee injury last season. On the other side, Von Miller will also be returning to action after missing the entire season due to an ankle injury. The Broncos are entering the season with a loaded roster, sporting talent on both sides of the ball. However, their biggest need happens to be at the most important position in the game.

In a division that consists of quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Derek Carr, a talented player at the position is a must have. For the Broncos, however, they’re stuck in quarterback purgatory. Drew Lock is returning, following a disappointing sophomore season in which he failed to deliver on a promising rookie year. Throwing for 2,933 yards at a porous 57.3% completion percentage, Lock has yet to show that he should be a starting quarterback in this league. Combined with the fact that he only threw for one more touchdown than interception in 2020, it’s no wonder the Broncos made a move by acquiring journeyman Teddy Bridgewater. The 28 year old isn’t a long term answer at quarterback, or even an answer in the first place. Bridgewater threw for only 15 touchdowns in 2020, a season in which he disappointed Carolina enough to trade significant draft capital for Sam Darnold - another quarterback who’s failed to live up to expectations. With neither Lock nor Bridgewater being capable of leading a team towards the playoffs, what can new general manager George Paton do?

Not often does a player generate trade buzz following an MVP season. However, Aaron Rodgers is not your typical player, and his situation is anything but regular. The 37 year old has been at odds with his team since they elected to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2019 draft, without even talking to him about the situation. Tensions have escalated so much so that at the end of April, he let members of the organization know that he did not want to return to Green Bay. If Rodgers truly won’t suit up for the Packers this season, then they need to find a way to generate as much value as possible for him. They also won’t deal him to an NFC team, which makes the Broncos a perfect trade partner.

Sending Rodgers out West would be a best case scenario for Green Bay and Denver alike. Green Bay would be able to hold out for a haul, which likely will include multiple first rounders, as well as young ascending players. On the other hand, Rodgers will instantly make Denver not only a playoff contender, but a true competitor to hoist the Lombardi. A trade involving three 1st round picks, Bradley Chubb, and a few mid round picks could convince Green Bay to move their MVP signal caller, all while bolstering the Broncos offense and improving their odds to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2016.

Including significant draft capital alongside a 25 year old Pro Bowl pass rusher may seem like an overtrade to some. However, this league is dominated by stellar quarterback play, which puts a heavy emphasis on the position. A team like Denver can be solid on both sides of the ball, but without a top quarterback they have no real shot at competing. Furthermore, after seeing a 43 year old Tom Brady win a Super Bowl, there’s no reason Rodgers can’t compete for another 5 seasons. Coming off an MVP season, trading for Rodgers is Denver’s best bet to win another ring, rather than settling for mediocrity.

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