More than a year of speculation is over. Aaron Rodgers remains in Green Bay as the four-time league MVP has agreed to a four-year deal that will net him over $200 million. Rodgers will remain with the Packers despite reports that he has considered retirement or joining forces with the Broncos, Titans, or Steelers.
Rodgers isn’t leaving Green Bay, but another Packers quarterback could very well be leaving. Chosen by the team in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Jordan Love could be dropped from Green Bay sometime between now and the start of the 2022 NFL Draft. Green Bay will never be able to make up for what they lost by trading Love in the first round draft (when Justin Jefferson was still available), but now they can cut their losses by trading him for something of value.
It’s unclear what the Packers will receive for Love in exchange. He threw just 62 passes in the regular season and failed to take Green Bay’s offense into the end zone in his only career start, losing to the Chiefs last offseason. That being said, Love is a very young player (23) who spent two years studying NFL offense while sharing the quarterback room with the league’s reigning MVP. Love didn’t play much, but he certainly didn’t get any worse during his time in the NFL. And at 6’4″ and 219 pounds, Love is the perfect size that NFL teams want from their quarterback.
Given the importance of the quarterback position, it’s possible the Packers could get a Day 2 pick for Love. It doesn’t hurt that this is a relatively weak free agent and quarterback draft. And with Rodgers and Russell Wilson likely to stay at their current clubs, quarterback teams in need may jump at the chance to get some love from the Packers.
Possible landing sites
It’s clear that the three teams Rodgers was reportedly interested in playing for are looking for a quarterback. However, the Steelers probably don’t want to lose a draft pick and will most likely either draft the quarterback or sign him as a free agent. The Titans, who still have Ryan Tannehill, will likely follow suit.
The Broncos seemed like Love’s most likely destination until the news that Russell Wilson was being traded to Denver. With Wilson heading to the Broncos, the Seahawks, who reportedly acquired Drew Locke in exchange for Wilson, will be looking to solidify their quarterback position. With two first-round picks at their disposal (as part of the Wilson trade), Seattle is likely to pick one of its options for the quarterback.
Atlanta and Washington are other possible locations for Love to land. The Falcons, instead of using the #8 overall pick for the quarterback, could use it to boost another aspect of their lineup by acquiring Love through the trade. Washington, which reportedly offered Seattle a significant offer for Wilson that was turned down by the Seahawks, also has solid players who could complement Love’s skill set.
Love’s possible touchdown location is unclear, but one thing is clear: the Packers will have options when it comes to trading Love, who is certainly motivated to take the field after two years away from Green Bay.