NFL 2022: 4 potential landing spots for Aaron Rodgers before the trade deadline

Happy Halloween! This is not a Trick-or-Treat situation, trading Aaron Rodgers is something the Green Bay Packers should consider before the NFL Trade Deadline Nov 1 at 4 PM. Is this likely? No, we understand that there is almost no chance this happens - but it should be considered. Hear me out...

With the Green Bay Packers dropping 4 consecutive games to the New York Jets, New York Giants, Washington Commanders and last night to the Buffalo Bills, their Super Bowl contention window with Aaron Rodgers is closing quickly. Heck, even the playoffs seem like a pipe dream unless the Packers go out and sign some serious playmakers this off-season (which we all know they won't because, the Packers). With Father Time starring Rodgers in the face, it would be in the best interest for both parties to move on right now. 

We don't see trades like this happen in the NFL midseason like in hockey, but maybe we should... and here's why. The Packers front office has done nothing to get Rodgers any help and Rodgers looks absolutely dejected being on this team. He came back to get another crack at a Lombardi Trophy and with the way this offense is constructed, there seems to be no chance of that happening. Since the Super Bowl window is, in my opinion, officially behind them in Green Bay, Rodgers should get the chance to win at least one more in a new city and the Packers should prepare for the future by seeing what they have in Jordan Love and get a boatload of picks to do find out. Again, we don't think this is going to happen but since we're talking about it, let's look at 4 landing spots that seem to make the most sense.

4. New Orlean Saints

The NFC South is WIDE open for a team to step up and take control. It's currently being led by the "full rebuild" Atlanta Falcons with Marcus Mariotta at the helm. A quick and easy way into the playoffs would be adding a future HOF QB to get in there and put this offense on the right track. Rodgers would get an instant upgrade at almost every skill position on the offensive side of the ball, he'd inherit a high powered offense of Michael Thomas, Chris Olave (whose playing out of his mind), Alvin Kamara, Taysom Hill, and Jarvis Landry. 

They've already benched Winston, who was a healthy back up the last two weeks and have turned the organization over to the Red Rocket, Andy Dalton. By doing this, they're saying Winston is not the future and we're putting Dalton in because he gives us the best chance to "win now", which is the sign of a team who believes they can compete this year. They aren't tanking, they just shut out the Raiders 24-0 yesterday. 

Bringing in Rodgers would be an instant boost to this potential high powered offense and they would WALK away with the NFC South. They currently have a top 10 offense (again, with Andy Dalton) so adding a guy like Rodgers could put them into the conversation for one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL. Additionally, they have a top 12 defense in the NFL. They really are one consistent QB away from surprising a lot of people in the NFC.

3. New York Giants

I struggled to put the Giants on this list because it really feels like he'd be going out of the frying pan into the fryer with this move. The Giants, have overachieved to say the least and majority of this turnaround falls on the stellar play from Saquon Barkley. They are also getting help from Daniel Jones' legs and it seems like he's at least earned himself a second contract...

But it wasn't long ago (about 9 weeks to be exact), where many NYG fans were ready to throw in the towel on this guy. He's been up and down in his career and even after starting 6-2 this season, I don't think anyone is certain that he's the answer long-term at QB. If the Giants want to be aggressive and capitalize on this hot start, they throwing the farm at Rodgers would be a good way to look at Dallas (who Rodgers has OWNED in his career) and say, we're walking into the playoffs. Rodgers would have to face the red hot Eagles in this division but I think Giants fans would rather have Rodgers than Danny Dimes under center for that game.

2. Tennessee Titans

If the Packers and Rodgers were to split ways, the Titans make too much sense. Tannehill went down and missed last week but honestly up to this point, he's been the definition of a game manager. You know what you get with a game manager? A solid regular season in a weak division, a trip to the playoffs and then knocked out in your first game. 

If you're a wild card team, you dream of playing the Titans in the first round because they're beatable if you can shut down Henry and force Tannehill to throw the ball effectively. In addition to that, you drafted Tannehill's replacement in the draft last year Mallik Willis, who we know is not ready to take your team on a deep playoff run. 

Insert Rodgers into this offense, take the load off of him by letting Derrick Henry do what he does best and watch the Titans become a formidable opponent that teams are afraid of going into the playoffs. 

1. New York Jets

Full disclosure, I'm a biased Jets fan. Now that we have that outta the way, let's talk about why this makes sense. The Jets have surprised everyone by being 5-3 in their first 8 games and they've shown that they have more young talent than almost any other team in football. The defense has stepped up, getting a ton of pressure on the QB and Sauce Gardener and DJ Reed shutting down opponents star WR's. 

On the offensive side of the ball, they have playmakers (although watching Breece Hall go down hurt). You have Garrett Wilson, who can make all the catches, and has proved he can be effective with a veteran throwing him the ball. Corey Davis, who has provides a veteran presence to the group, while only being 27. Elijah Moore, who yes - requested a trade, but if you have Rodgers as your QB, I think he's at least willing to stick it out and see what can happen. And you also have Carter, Robinson, and Conklin who can all make plays. 

The Jets lost a tough one against New England yesterday, but that falls solely on the back of Zach Wilson who threw 3 INTs including 2 that were complete head scratchers. I'm not ready to give up on Wilson... but what if the Jets were able to package a deal together that included draft picks and maybe a player or two to bring Rodgers into New York where Wilson could sit behind Rodgers and learn from him for the next 2 years. 

​Wilson has already said Rodgers is his favorite player, and being in the same building as him (with all the arm talent that Wilson has) would only serve him better when he starts again for the Jets after Rodgers retires. It's highly unlikely, but the Jets have the pieces to win, and they've been winning despite their QB... You bring in Aaron Rodgers for 2 years and immediately, this team is poised to make a few runs, especially if the defense continues to ball out.

They hit on seemingly every draft pick in last year's draft. Don't waste this momentum and culture that you're building by letting losing creep back into MetLife. Go be aggressive and show they Bills and Dolphins that you're here to play. 

​I'm dreaming. But let me dream.