The Green Bay Packers will reportedly attempt to trade franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Or, at the very least, they’ll explore some trade options. Well, one team that suddenly needs a new starting quarterback is the Las Vegas Raiders. With Derek Carr on the outs, maybe it’d be wise to reunite Davante Adams with the quarterback he’s had the most success with.
Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers 2.0?
As you may have heard already, Adams wishes to be kept in the loop in terms of who the Raiders will bring in. That certainly makes sense from Adams’ point of view. Given how the Raiders have adjusted their plans, Adams surely didn’t come to Sin City to end his career with a roster teardown. As Raiders legend Tim Brown said recently, Adams isn’t about to play the next five years “with a kid.” So far, there’s been no indication that Adams wants to play for another team other than the Raiders. Other than Carr, Rodgers is the only quarterback that Adams is familiar with. Their chemistry and success together are surely something that the Raiders are considering.
As far as a trade goes, that’s where things get complicated. The Packers, for their part, will want a major haul, a “fleece,” if you will. Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler doesn’t strike me as an executive who would ship out valuable draft picks for a quarterback on his last legs. The Packers could start by requesting a couple of first rounders. For starters, consider this year’s and next year’s first-round picks, as well as a third-round pick next year. Yeah, that’s a lot.
The financial implications of the Raiders trading for Rodgers…
Then there are the finances that come with such a deal. For example, if the Raiders choose to cut Carr, they will save nearly $30 million in cap space. Rodgers, for his part, would carry a cap hit of roughly $32 million. Ziegler and the Raiders would need to do some restructuring of existing deals to still be big players in free agency while acquiring Rodgers’ deal. Finding a way to keep Josh Jacobs with the rest of the Raiders’ weapons would be a selling point for Rodgers. At the same time, surrendering that much draft capital hinders the ability of Ziegler to stockpile and rebuild the defense.
The Raiders would be putting on some major fireworks if they reunited Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers for at least one year. Maybe even two, but you’re looking at a stop-gap solution at best. Let’s say the Raiders give up two first-round picks. Not only do they miss out on defensive prospects, but they’d also be foregoing a chance at a quarterback both this year and next. From the Raiders’ perspective, it just doesn’t make sense at this juncture in Rodgers’ career.
*Top Photo: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Examining 2023’s Draft Capital The Raiders & Dave Ziegler Have