There Is No Better Fit for Aaron Rodgers Than the Denver Broncos
Note: This article originally appeared on our nationally-themed site, FranchiseTagged.com.
The Great Aaron Rodgers Controversy of 2021 is nearing three weeks in duration. The Green Bay Packers quarterback has not denounced the theory that he is discontented in Wisconsin, enabling the trail of hearsay and speculation to run rampant.
On the first day of the 2021 NFL Draft, multiple media sources confirmed that Rodgers is disillusioned with Packers management. Ever since, the talking points are plentiful regarding where we might end up or how the situation might ultimately resolve.
In response to the potential exodus of Rodgers, Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst has tried out or signed three quarterbacks — Blake Bortles, Kurt Benkert, and Chad Kelly — all players below Rodgers’ caliber of production. But that’s the reality. Should Rodgers actionize his malcontent, the Packers will be forced to start second-year signal-caller, Jordan Love, while holstering men like Bortles, Benkert, and Kelly for depth.
If Rodgers does depart elsewhere, then Wisconsinites should get used to the name Drew Lock because Rodgers is absolutely perfect for the Denver Broncos as a trade destination. Here’s why.
Longstanding Offensive Futility
Denver has not been an apt offensive football team since Peyton Manning left town after 2015. Hell, the offense wasn’t even very good in 2015 — the championship was obtained with demonic defense, spearheaded by Von Miller and others. From 2016 to 2020 — the post-Manning era — Denver has floundered its way to the NFL’s third-worst offense via points scored. Only the New York teams (Jets, Giants) have performed worse in sending points to the scoreboard.
It’s the intangible stuff, too. At a 35.5% conversion rate on third down during the last five seasons, the Broncos are the league’s fourth-worst team behind [in order from bad to worse] the Giants, Miami Dolphins, and Jets.
And then there’s the inefficiency. The yards per play numbers are dreadful. At 5.12 yards per play, Denver only tops the Cincinnati Bengals and the Jets in this metric amid the last five years.
On the other hand, Green Bay is in the Top 10 for all of the aforementioned parameters since 2016. Why? Simple. It’s Aaron Rodgers. He — as a standalone force — would transform Denver’s clumsy offense.
Newfound Weaponry
An erroneous narrative with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers insinuates the Packers quarterback is surrounded with menial talent. While he may not have a stable of ammunition akin to the current Dallas Cowboys or Cleveland Browns, Rodgers is never wholly deficient of playmakers. In some form or another, he always has a Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, or Aaron Jones at his disposal. Indeed, he maximizes players around him to the utmost, but Rodgers really gets a total pass on the dialogue that suggests he is barren of tools.
He will not have to worry about that in the mountains. Denver has quietly accrued a cornucopia of assets. From Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, Noah Fant, Melvin Gordon to rookie Javonte Williams — Rodgers would be encompassed with electric personnel. The Broncos offensive line is formidable as well.
What’s more, Denver is led by a defense-first head coach in Vic Fangio. The Broncos skipper has a Chicago Bears creed of defense as Fangio defensively coordinated the franchise for four seasons — two of which were Top 10 units. Therefore, Denver has tremendous balance on paper. The only question mark on the roster is at the quarterback position — and that’s why a Rodgers trade westward is so tantalizing.
The Money
There are not too many teams that can easily trade for Rodgers due to his cap hit. As a matter of happenstance, the Broncos are one of those teams. Let’s be clear — about 20-something teams would likely “find a way to make it work” finanically in rolling out red carpet for Rodgers, but Denver can do it with ease. Rodgers earns $33.5 million per season via average annual value [or the fifth-most in the NFL]. The Broncos, at $25 million in cap space as of mid-may, own the second-most available dollars behind the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It’s why all Rodgers-themed fingers keep pointing toward Denver.