Aaron Rodgers is no exception.
Many people have thrown out possible trade scenarios, but too many are looking at it as if the Broncos have to shoot for the moon as they would have for, say, Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson.
On one hand, Rodgers won’t come cheap.
Thus, both teams would need a QB in a big way, putting them in a position to ask for more.
The Packers aren’t in that situation, because they not only drafted Jordan Love in 2020, they traded up to get him.
Though Rodgers is an elite QB, he’s at the stage of his career in which he can’t be asked to carry the team on his shoulders.
That means a team needs to make sure they don’t give up too much of their young talent to the Packers in a trade.
If Watson and Wilson both command three first-round picks, you don’t give up more than two for Rodgers.
You aren’t going to get the trade down to where, say, the Brett Favre trade was many years ago, because Favre had originally retired, then announced he actually wanted to play.
With Rodgers, it’s true the Packers drafted Love, but they reportedly want to wait until 2022 to start him, and Rodgers doesn’t agree with that.
Therefore, two firsts are likely to be part of the package for Rodgers.
I do believe the Packers will want a veteran QB in return, so if the Broncos made the trade, Teddy Bridgewater makes sense.
However, you aren’t going to be able to unload an older, more expensive player, because the Packers are going to want other young players to add to their core.
Dalton Risner: The selection of Quinn Meinerz means the Broncos could opt to deal Risner as part of a package.
However, if the Broncos acquire Rodgers, it’s going to be hard to keep Jones, Risner, and Fant for the long term — somebody might have to be let go, especially if they all seek high-end contracts.
Michael Ojemudia and Lloyd Cushenberry: You would likely have to package these two players together as part of a trade.
Among the players listed above, I think it makes the most sense to include Jones.
Let’s try this idea: The Broncos could include fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2023, but they would move up a round depending on playoff performance.
I want Chubb to be a key building block for the defense, and Fant and Jeudy are too valuable to give up when I want weapons for Rodgers.