What could each team interested in Rodgers offer in a trade package?

 

The weekend was not calm in Packerland. First, Mike Florio tweeted that the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tennessee Titans were/are interested in acquiring Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Then, Cheesehead TV Aaron Nagler reported the Packers were not engaged in any trade talks. But, with Rodgers’ decision looming, we can do a fun exercise (especially if you are open to the idea of trading Rodgers) and analyze what kind of package each reportedly interested team may offer.  

 

Denver Broncos

2022 picks: 9, 40

Future picks: 2023 1st

Players: Jerry Jeudy, Albert Okwuegbunam

 

The Broncos are certainly the team with the most capital between all of them. They have the higher pick, 9th overall, and extra 2nd and 3rd-round picks because of the Von Miller trade. As they have high picks and good young players to offer, the proposition here is that they send “only” two first-rounders, but they also would offer a high-second this year. In terms of market value, teams tend to lower one round each year in the future, so a top-40 pick in 2022 has a great value.

Regarding the players, Jerry Jeudy was a highly-thought prospect coming out of college, but so far hasn’t been able to produce like his draft class counterparts Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb. But he still has two years of rookie contract, plus the fifth-year option. Albert Okwuegbunam is a solid tight end option with two cheap years remaining is his contract.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

2022 picks: 20

Future picks: 2023 1st, 2023 3rd, 2024 1st

Player: Pat Freiermuth

 

The Steelers have the 20th overall pick and don’t have a lot of good young players to offer. Therefore, they should send 3 1st-round picks to be competitive. Also, they could throw in a 3rd next year to entice the Packers. Tight end Pat Freiermuth would also be an important part of the equation. He was drafted in the second round last year and wasn’t a member of the All-Rookie Team only because Kyle Pitts is a monster. Freiermuth had almost 500 yards and 7 touchdowns, and he is under contract through 2024 (with modest 934k, 1.2M, and 1.48M cap hits). 

 

Tennessee Titans

2022 picks: 26, 90

Future picks: 2023 1st, 2024 2nd

Players: Jeffery Simmons, Amani Hooker

 

This offer is made with the understanding that the Packers offense will suffer without Aaron Rodgers and the best way to keep competitive is to have a great defense. The Titans would send a first and third-round picks this year (they don’t have a 2nd because of the Julio Jones trade last season), plus a 1st in 2023 and a 2nd in 2024.

In this scenario, the Packers would also receive two good defenders who were among the best in their positions in 2021: defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and safety Amani Hooker.

The problem here is that both players are at the end of their rookie contracts. Hooker is in his final year, with a 2.54M cap hit, and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2023. Simmons, a former first-round pick, has a 2.2M cap hit this year in case of a trade, and the Packers would have a fifth-year option for 2023.

 

At the end, both offers have its pros and cons. Which one do you prefer?