Aaron Rodgers Trade: 5 Possible Destinations If QB Doesn't Finish Career With Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers appear to have put Aaron Rodgers on the clock by trading up to select Utah State quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The move was reminiscent of the team’s decision to make Rodgers a 2005 first-round pick when Brett Favre was still the team’s starter.

Rodgers became Green Bay’s starter after the 2007 season and Favre went on to play for two other teams before calling it a career. The Hall of Fame quarterback believes his successor will follow a similar path.

“I think he'll play somewhere else,” Favre said of Rodgers Wednesday on “The Rich Eisen Show” on NBC Sports Network.

The Packers didn’t warn Rodgers ahead of time that they would be drafting a quarterback. Favre has spoken with Green Bay’s starter and believes he will finish his career elsewhere.

“I don't know this for certain, but I guarantee you, it's got the wheels turning in Aaron's mind,” Favre said. “If that's the case, then that means there's a chip on his shoulder toward the organization that otherwise was not there. All he needs is a reason other than this reason to expedite that.”

In 12 years as the team’s starter, Rodgers has led the Packers to nine playoff appearances and been selected to the Pro Bowl eight times. He’s a two-time NFL MVP and a one-time Super Bowl champion.

Rodgers is only a few months removed from making the Pro Bowl and taking Green Bay to the NFC Championship Game. The 36-year-old has four more years left on his contract with the league’s third-highest yearly salary.

Rodgers probably isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Things could be much different after the 2021 season when the quarterback is pushing 40 years old and no longer has a devastating dead cap.

Where could Rodgers end up if he’s eventually put on the trade block? A lot can change in two years, but a few teams stand out as potential suitors for an established starting quarterback.

Here are predictions for five teams that could be in the market to acquire Rodgers when Love is ready to become Green Bay’s starter.

New England Patriots

There is no logical successor to Tom Brady. No one knows how Jarrett Stidham will perform as New England’s starter. The Patriots didn’t draft a quarterback this year. Bill Belichick will find ways to keep New England competitive, and the team might be an above-average quarterback away from getting back into Super Bowl contention.

Las Vegas Raiders

There are constant rumors that Jon Gruden is looking for someone to replace Derek Carr. The quarterback is coming off one of his best seasons, but it’s hard to believe he’ll turn the Raiders into a title contender. The same goes for newly signed backup Marcus Mariota. Carr will have one year and no guaranteed money left on his contract after the 2021 season.

Indianapolis Colts

Philip Rivers just signed a one-year contract to be Indianapolis’ starting quarterback. Maybe he’ll have a few good years with the Colts, but 20 interceptions in his age-38 season suggest that Rivers is nearing the end of his career. With a top offensive line and head coach Frank Reich, Indianapolis might be an ideal spot for Rodgers to end his career.

Pittsburgh Steelers

It might not be too long before Pittsburgh has to replace Ben Roethlisberger. The quarterback is entering his 17th season and coming off an injury that cost him almost all of 2019. The Steelers have never had a losing record under Mike Tomlin. If Green Bay is going to trade Rodgers to a contender, don’t expect the Packers to trade him to a team within the NFC.

Washington Redskins

Of all the teams that used a first-round pick on a quarterback in recent years, Washington is the one most likely to need a new starter by 2022. Dwayne Haskins had a poor rookie season with 1,365 passing yards, seven touchdown passes, seven interceptions and a 76.1 passer rating in nine games. Redskins owner Dan Snyder is a logical candidate to try and make a splash by acquiring Rodgers.