If Traded, When Would Packers Face Rodgers?

Here are the 10 betting favorites to acquire Aaron Rodgers and when the Green Bay Packers will play those teams.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – If the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers ultimately agree that a trade is in the best interests of legendary franchise and legendary quarterback, the big challenge would be finding a suitable trade partner.

From Rodgers’ perspective, it would be pretty simple. Give him a chance to win, give him some wideouts, give him a schematic fit, give him some relationships.

From the team’s perspective, it would be a bit more cumbersome.

Presumably, it would be limited to Rodgers’ short list of teams. Rodgers has de facto veto power over any trade by saying, “Nah, I think I’ll retire.” So, the Packers could be given 10 consecutive first-round picks by, say, the Houston Texans and Rodgers could shoot it down because the Texans aren’t close to winning.

Ideally, they’d trade Rodgers out of the NFC. That would prevent a Packers vs. Rodgers playoff game – a titanic matchup from a television-ratings perspective but a nightmare scenario for the franchise. Not only would there be the fear factor of being eliminated by their former quarterback, but it would be a week full of distractions for quarterback Jordan Love.

Using the latest next-team odds from PointsBet Sportsbook, here are potential Packers vs. Rodgers dates.

New York Jets (+150)

The Packers faced the Jets in 2022 and aren’t scheduled to do so again until 2026. But the AFC East will be Game 17 in 2024, with the first-place team from the NFC North facing the first-place team from the AFC East, and so on. That game is scheduled for Lambeau Field.

Las Vegas Raiders (+450)

Rodgers attacking Joe Barry’s defense? Davante Adams running routes against Jaire Alexander? With the AFC West in the schedule rotation, the Packers will play at Las Vegas in 2023.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+700)

After Tom Brady’s retirement, the only quarterback under contract for the Bucs is 2021 second-rounder Kyle Trask. With the NFC South in the schedule rotation, the Packers will host Tampa Bay in 2023. The could host the Bucs in 2024, too, if both teams finish in the same spot in their division standings.

San Francisco 49ers (+750)

It’s hard to believe the Packers would trade Rodgers to the 49ers – a team good enough to get to the 2022 NFC Championship Game between rookie third-stringer Brock Purdy. The NFC West is in the schedule rotation for 2024, when the 49ers will visit Lambeau Field.

Tennessee Titans (+800)

It will be at Packers at Tennessee in 2024, when the AFC South is up in the schedule rotation. The Titans, for what it’s worth, made a big jump in new next-team odds.

Carolina Panthers (+1000)

With the NFC South in the schedule rotation, the Packers will play at Carolina in 2023. If the teams finish in the same spot in the division standings in 2023, they’d meet in Green Bay in 2024.

New England Patriots (+1500)

The Patriots seem like a darkhorse contender for Rodgers. Coach Bill Belichick, at age 71, isn’t getting any younger and there’s no doubt he’d like to show he can win a Super Bowl without Tom Brady. The AFC East was part of the schedule rotation in 2022 and won’t be again until 2026, but there could be a Packers-Patriots matchup at Lambeau as Game 17 in 2024.

Washington Commanders (+2000)

The Packers played at Washington in 2022 and will host the Commanders in 2025. Green Bay, however, would play at Washington in 2024 if both teams finish in the same spot in the standings in 2023.

Indianapolis Colts (+2500)

The Colts have acquired a veteran quarterback each of the last three offseasons. The AFC South is part of the schedule rotation in 2024, when Indy will visit Lambeau.

Atlanta Falcons (+2500)

The Falcons, who won their final two games in 2022 behind third-round rookie Desmond Ridder, will welcome the Packers to Atlanta in 2023. If the Falcons and Packers finish in the same spot in the division standings in 2023, they’d meet in Green Bay in 2024.

Packers’ 2023 Offseason Depth Charts Without Free Agents

Quarterback

Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Danny Etling (PS).

Let’s address the obvious elephant in this room. If Aaron Rodgers is traded, the Packers will have to add another quarterback. Presumably, it would be a veteran arm who’s seen it all and can lend his wisdom to Jordan Love. Then again, with Rodgers set to take over in 2008, the Packers drafted Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn.

Running back

Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor, Tyler Goodson (PS).

At this time a year ago, it seemed a fairly decent bet that the Packers would cut Aaron Jones loose in a cap-saving move this offseason. After all, Green Bay’s about $20 million over the cap and parting ways with Jones would handle about half that amount. But general manager Brian Gutekunst signaled they’ll restructure Jones’ contract after the star running back set career highs for rushing yards and receptions (but also fumbles).

Receiver

Allen Lazard, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Randall Cobb, Samori Toure, Bo Melton, Jeff Cotton (PS).

With Allen Lazard’s team-leading 60 receptions for 788 yards, the veterans Lazard and Randall Cobb combined for 94 receptions, 1,205 yards and seven touchdowns. The baton needs to be passed to Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, but there’s something to be said about having a steady veteran or two in the room. That’s true regardless of whether Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love are running the show. If the Packers let Lazard walk due to finances and Cobb depart due to age, four of the remaining five receivers were rookies in 2022 and the other (Jeff Cotton) has played one NFL snap.

Tight End

Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis, Austin Allen (PS) Nick Guggemos (PS).

Robert Tonyan (591 snaps, three starts) and Marcedes Lewis (451 snaps, 17 starts) combined for about 1,050 snaps and 20 starts. Coming off his torn ACL, Tonyan didn’t bring much of an explosive element but he did lead all NFL tight ends in catch percentage and drop percentage. Lewis, the oldest non-quarterback starter in the league, blocked at his usual high level. The Packers don’t have a replacement for either player.

Offensive Line

Offensive Line – Tackles

LT David Bakhtiari, RT Yosh Nijman (restricted free agent), Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, Caleb Jones, Luke Tenuta, Jean Delance (PS).

Presumably, the Packers won’t dump David Bakhtiari in a cost-cutting move – a post-June 1 release would create $17.3 million in cap savings – and will retain Yosh Nijman in restricted free agency. Assuming that’s the case, the Packers are in really good shape, especially if Bakhtiari truly is back from that horrendous knee injury. He played well on limited practice time, and now will have a full offseason to really get his game where he wants it.

Offensive Line - Interior

LG Elgton Jenkins, C Josh Myers, RG Jon Runyan, Zach Tom, Royce Newman, Jake Hanson (IR), Sean Rhyan (suspended).

With the late-season extension of Elgton Jenkins keeping one of the top linemen in the league from reaching the open market, none of Green Bay’s blockers are slated to hit free agency. It will be interesting to see where the do-it-all Tom ultimately battles for a spot in the starting lineup. Just as interesting is whether Sean Rhyan can save a career that was nothing short of a disaster as a rookie third-round pick.

Defensive Line

Kenny Clark, Jarran Reed, Dean Lowry (IR), TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Jonathan Ford, Chris Slayton (PS).

Jarran Reed, a tremendous budget-signing last offseason, and Dean Lowry, who had played 101 consecutive games until finishing the season on injured reserve, are scheduled to hit free agency. Combined, they played almost 1,200 snaps and were in on 95 tackles in 2022. The depth is perilous if they go. Behind what would be the new starting trio of Kenny Clark, first-round pick Devonte Wyatt and TJ Slaton, nobody else on the depth chart played a single snap.

Outside Linebackers

Rashan Gary (IR), Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Justin Hollins, Jonathan Garvin, La’Darius Hamilton (PS).

With Rashan Gary coming off a torn ACL and being iffy to play in Week 1 – let alone being an impact player for Week 1 – there’s obviously a huge need entering the offseason. The lone free agent is Justin Hollins, who was claimed off waivers from the Rams in November and provided a bit of juice to the pass rush. Jonathan Garvin, a seventh-round pick in 2020, went from 395 snaps in 2021 to just 193 in 2022. Not only didn’t he have a sack, he didn’t even have a solo tackle.

Inside Linebackers

De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Krys Barnes, Eric Wilson.

This, obviously, is a really good group. The lone free agent is Eric Wilson. A 15-game starter when he had 122 tackles for the Vikings in 2020, Wilson was claimed off waivers on Oct. 4 and was one of the stalwarts on special teams with 13 tackles in 13 games – tied with Isaiah McDuffie and Dallin Leavitt for tops on the team.

Cornerbacks

Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes (IR), Keisean Nixon, Corey Ballentine, Shemar Jean-Charles, Kiondre Thomas (PS), Benjie Franklin (F), Tyrell Ford (F).

Keisean Nixon was signed to a one-year, minimum contract last offseason. Now, you could argue he’s the most important of Green Bay’s 14 unrestricted free agents. Nixon changed the season with his series of high-impact kickoff returns. With speed and swagger, he became the team’s first-ever first-team All-Pro kick returner. Plus, he provided quality depth in the slot. Corey Ballentine was a useful member of the special teams, as well. He's got kickoff-return experience and could be Plan B if the Packers can't afford Nixon.

Safeties

Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Dallin Leavitt, Tariq Carpenter, Innis Gaines, James Wiggins (F).

In 2019, the Packers and Bears essentially swapped safeties in free agency, with Adrian Amos joining the Packers and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix jumping to the Bears. Amos was worth every penny of his four-year, $36 million contract. He started all 66 games in four seasons. Last year wasn’t his best, though, with one interception and five passes defensed. He will turn 30 on April 29.

Amos led the defense with 977 snaps, Rudy Ford played 442 snaps on defense and was excellent as a gunner on the punt team, and Dallin Leavitt was tied for the team lead in special-teams tackles. Without those three, all that’s left are Darnell Savage, who was benched, and Tariq Carpenter and Innis Gaines, who combined to play 60 snaps on defense.

Specialists

K Mason Crosby, K Parker White (F). P Pat O’Donnell. LS Jack Coco.

A seventh-round pick in 2007, Mason Crosby has handled kicking duties for a league-high 258 consecutive games and established a franchise scoring record that might be impossibly out of reach. He made 86.2 percent of his field-goal attempts but had the shortest kickoffs in the league. The only other kicker on the roster is Parker White, who signed a futures contract three weeks ago. He made 16-of-17 attempts at South Carolina as a senior in 2021.

“We’re working through all that stuff,” Gutekunst said last month when asked about Crosby. “Mason had an outstanding year this year, was really clutch in a lot of ways. He’s performing at a high level for a long time. Obviously, having Rich (Bisaccia) come in and adapting to a new special teams coach for I don’t know how many years in a row now, but he carried us in a few of those games, there’s no doubt about it.”

More Packers Offseason News

For those of you who like the betting angle on Aaron Rodgers' next team, I present this from @PointsBetUSA. https://t.co/oUir6YBnWF

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) February 4, 2023

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