Aaron Rodgers uncertain on Packers future: Ranking the QB’s 12 most likely teams for 2022 season

Aaron Rodgers has found nothing but success (at least in the regular season) since Matt LaFleur kicked off the next stage of the quarterback’s Hall of Fame career in Green Bay. Rodgers’ late-30s, in fact, have given him some of the best years he’s seen at the NFL level. He and the Packers just wrapped up a third straight 13-win season, and he’s poised to reel in his second straight MVP. Suffice to say, the QB has reason to honor his contract with Green Bay through 2022. But fresh off yet another disappointing exit from the playoffs, is it possible A-Rod would rather finish his career elsewhere?

Rodgers hinted at the possibility after Saturday’s loss to the 49ers, telling reporters he’s undecided on what lies ahead. The future Hall of Famer had previously hinted this season that he’d be back with the Packers in 2022, noting an improved relationship with general manager Brian Gutekunst. He certainly appeared more at peace with the organization compared to last offseason, when he entertained regular trade rumors during a months-long feud with team management. The Packers reportedly appeased Rodgers prior to 2021 by reworking his contract and agreeing to reevaluate his standing after the season.

Now, with everything up in the air again, what is Rodgers’ most likely destination in 2022, when he could conceivably be traded? Here’s how we’d rank the potential suitors:

12. Eagles

Jalen Hurts has a lot going for him as a young, developing mobile and ever-poised starter. But general manager Howie Roseman has every reason to explore the market for a superior passer, especially with three first-round picks at his disposal. Rodgers may be a short-term solution for a team preaching patience, but Roseman is notoriously aggressive, and Philly would embrace the idea of pairing such a star QB with new play-makers like DeVonta Smith. The issue is twofold: the Packers wouldn’t prefer Rodgers sticking in the NFC, and Rodgers probably wouldn’t sign up for more of a rebuilding scenario under a young coach.

11. Giants

The market is the biggest draw here, as Rodgers could go from Packers legend to New York superstar, with an opportunity to resurrect the Giants brand. A strong head coach and GM pairing would help. But A-Rod wouldn’t have much else to compel a relocation to the Big Apple, where the G-Men have been perennial losers and lack reliable weapons at key positions, including the offensive line. There’s also the fact the Packers would be dealing him within the NFC, a sure-fire hiccup in trade talks.

10. Panthers

Few teams are as desperate for a QB upgrade (and as trigger-happy at the position in recent years). They can at least tout a promising defense and a few Grade-A weapons (Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore), and new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo was Rodgers’ QBs coach from 2012-2013. The problem is, does Rodgers trust they are close enough to contention under coach Matt Rhule? And would Carolina really be prepared to mortgage its future for someone not named Deshaun Watson, assuming the Pack demand an otherworldly haul to keep Rodgers within the NFC?

9. Browns

No matter what Kevin Stefanski says about Baker Mayfield, the latter isn’t locked into a long-term job after an underwhelming 2021. Cleveland is otherwise mostly built to contend with a rock-solid O-line, an elite running back and promising defense. Stefanski isn’t so unlike Matt LaFleur — a young, proven offensive mind — and could appeal to Rodgers, especially if Davante Adams is part of the relocation. The market isn’t necessarily a draw, but perhaps Rodgers would see it as a chance to elevate his own legacy by finally bringing the Browns into contemporary stardom.

8. Raiders

Derek Carr is a fine starter, but he’s easily expendable in 2022, and the whole team is in transition. With plenty of cap space, the Raiders could surely make an offer, promising Rodgers a move closer to his West Coast home, a big role in decision-making alongside a new regime, and perhaps a big offer for his friend Davante Adams. But they also feel a bit further from real contention than other logical suitors. Would Rodgers really be eager to jump from the Packers to this setup?

7. Washington

Who knows what Rodgers thinks of its generally dysfunctional ownership? This isn’t exactly a dream destination for elite players. Football-wise, though, the building blocks are there: a respected veteran coach in Ron Rivera, a high-ceiling defense, some young play-makers (Antonio Gibson, Terry McLaurin, etc.) who would theoretically take off with a superior QB, and a very winnable division. Washington has never been shy about taking swings for veteran QBs, and Rivera has both the cash and lack of reliable passers to justify a big offer. The question is whether the Packers would even consider dealing him in the same conference.

6. Steelers

If Pittsburgh weren’t historically averse to these kinds of blockbuster swings, it’d easily rank higher. Everything fits: Rodgers and Mike Tomlin have a deep respect for each other, the Steelers are an iconic franchise and proven winner, and Ben Roethlisberger is headed to retirement. Pittsburgh has the defense to contend now, and if it were to finagle enough money to bring Davante Adams with Rodgers, that combo with Najee Harris (and a restored O-line) would be scary. Tomlin has the track record to push ownership for a quick fix at QB, and at least Green Bay would be shipping Rodgers to the AFC.

5. Titans

Tennessee has gotten roughly top-10 production from Ryan Tannehill during the QB’s nearly three seasons on the job, but the veteran is 0-3 in his last three playoff starts, playing a big role in those defeats. Mike Vrabel knows how to build and maintain a tough winner in the AFC South, but his team is still arguably an elite QB away from getting over the hump. The only feasible way out of Tannehill’s contract is a trade, but why wouldn’t they explore it? Rodgers, meanwhile, would be right back with a contender, complete with star teammates like Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown.

4. Colts

Carson Wentz wasn’t bad in his Colts debut, but he also didn’t deliver in key spots, leaving Indy in QB purgatory despite a roster otherwise built to compete right now. Coach Frank Reich, an ardent Wentz backer, would need prying to cut or trade his ex-Eagles companion just one year after acquiring him, but ownership is growing impatient. And the Colts can move on rather easily, saving money in the process. Rodgers would give the franchise a long-awaited injection of franchise star power, which has been missing since Andrew Luck’s 2019 retirement, and keep Reich’s AFC South squad in the title conversation.

3. Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa mostly did his job as a second-year starter, and he’s earned more time under center. But when has that stopped aggressive teams from acting? Miami thrived with Ryan Fitzpatrick as Tua relief in 2020, then reportedly kept eyes on Deshaun Watson despite his litany of legal issues. Rodgers would fulfill that desire for established help, and then some. A-Rod, meanwhile, would get the Tom Brady-style move to sunny Florida, where the Dolphins are absolutely flush with cap space (Davante Adams package deal?) and boast a defense ready to win now. The question: who’s running the show post-Brian Flores?

2. Packers

Since Green Bay spent a first-round pick on QB Jordan Love, establishing a Rodgers succession plan, Rodgers has literally turned in back-to-back MVP-caliber seasons, effectively winning the war against his own front office. How on Earth could Green Bay justify prioritizing the “future” at QB when Rodgers has proven, twice now, that he’s still the present? No, he hasn’t delivered in the playoffs lately, but is it really time to reset the entire operation? They’ll have to trim salaries and get creative to keep the club atop the NFC, but it’s still a comfortable setup for Rodgers at this point in his career. The only reason they’re not No. 1: Rodgers and the Packers may very well convince themselves they’ve reached — or passed — the peak of their current union, content to take their lumps and/or bet on themselves with clean slates.

1. Broncos

GM George Paton knows all too well what Rodgers can do, coming from a career in Minnesota. The Broncos have been linked heavily to Rodgers before, and they’re even more desperate for a QB now with Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock confirmed as non-answers. John Elway could point to Peyton Manning as evidence of a superstar veteran lifting the entire franchise, and Denver has the cap space to get creative. Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton would offer Rodgers solid WRs to start, and No. 12 would also get a ready-made defense, as well as the chance to reign alongside Vic Fangio’s replacement.