Patriots: This Aaron Rodgers trade with Packers could totally work
By Jerry Trotta
Could do the Patriots do the impossible and pair Aaron Rodgers with Bill Belichick this offseason?
After the final week of the regular season, all Patriots fans had to hold on to in terms of the how the playoffs panned out was seeing if former quarterback Tom Brady could defy the odds and reach the Super Bowl in his first year with the Buccaneers.
When the dust settled on Sunday evening, he managed to do just that, toppling the Packers by a final score of 31-26 after an admittedly shaky second-half performance. While this win is no doubt pertinent in Patriots land as it encapsulated why Brady chose to leave last offseason, the aftermath might actually hold more relevance as far as the team’s future is concerned.
During his postgame presser, Aaron Rodgers refused to go on record saying that he’ll be back with the Packers in 2021, seemingly foreshadowing that a divorce is looming. In the event that he shocks the world and demands a trade, now seems like as good of a time as any to see if the Patriots have the requisite assets to make a deal happen.
Top potential Aaron Rodgers destinations in 2021: 49ers, Patriots, Steelers, Raiders, Colts, Saints.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 25, 2021
It’s duly noted that New England needs all of the draft picks they have at their disposal to help bolster their middling roster. However, when a player of Rodgers’ caliber becomes available, you simply can’t pass on the opportunity to acquire him. Not inquiring would be franchise malpractice.
Not to mention, head coach Bill Belichick, who will turn 69 in a few months, probably isn’t keen on going through a multi-year rebuild. Trading for Rodgers, assuming the Patriots make a marquee addition or two at wide receiver, would put them right back in the conversation of the best teams in the loaded AFC.
The two-time MVP’s contract will be a lot for the Patriots to absorb — his cap hits over the next three seasons will account for about $105 million total ($35 million annually) — so Green Bay will have to curtail its asking price. With that being said, Rodgers, even at this stage of his career, should still go for two first-round picks, one second-rounder and an impact player.
More on Aaron Rodgers saying he's uncertain about his future:https://t.co/1IKpWAgGms
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 25, 2021
If the Pats wanted to get crazy, they could potentially swap one of those picks for cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who’s been the subject of trade rumors in the past and still has an uncertain future amid his contract dilemma. The Packers are in desperate need of another CB to line up opposite stud Jaire Alexander and acquiring Gilmore would arguably give them the best duo in the league. Gilmore wants an extension too, and GB can make that happen if they unload Rodgers’ money.
If Gilmore doesn’t interest Green Bay, which will be battling to get under the cap in 2021, NE could throw in Jonathan Jones, who logged an 80.8 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus this year and is still on a rookie contract, on top of the trio of draft picks.
We’re obviously just spitballing here, but you really can’t deny that the Patriots have the necessary draft capital and cornerback depth that the Packers would almost certainly demand in any trade for Rodgers. Just something to monitor if the MVP ends up requesting a trade this offseason.
