NFL Rumors: Broncos In The Mix For Aaron Rodgers
The Denver Broncos named former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as the team's head coach on Thursday. The announcement marks a change in philosophy from the defensive-minded Vic Fangio, who will be replaced after three seasons in Denver. Yahoo Sports columnist Dan Wetzel suggests that the hiring of Hackett also opens the door to a potential reunion with the quarterback that he most recently collaborated with - 3x league MVP Aaron Rodgers:
Hackett, of course, is coming from the Green Bay Packers, where he was the offensive coordinator the past three seasons.
It’s why this hire isn’t just a hire, but throws the Broncos into the mix for Aaron Rodgers, or at least speculation about Rodgers.
Aaron Rodgers is not a free agent, but his massive contract and the Packers' current cap situation give the polarizing quarterback almost all the leverage heading into this offseason and the Broncos have plenty going for them beyond just the hiring of Hackett:
The Broncos have some appeal. They enter the offseason with $44.8 million in cap space, per Spotrac. They have the ninth pick in the draft. Some nice young offensive weapons are in place, including receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, plus tight end Noah Fant.
The arrival of Rodgers (or him remaining in Green Bay) will no doubt attract additional free agents.
However, Wetzel also points out the increased competition in the AFC West as a possible deterrent to the 10x Pro Bowler:
There are still those aforementioned AFC West quarterbacks, of course, specifically Mahomes and Herbert. Staying in Green Bay gives Rodgers six games against two teams who just fired their front office and coaching staff (Chicago, Minnesota) and another (Detroit) that just went 3-13-1.
The path to the playoffs is far easier in Green Bay. And staying in the NFC allows Rodgers to avoid not just the AFC West, but Buffalo and Josh Allen, Cincinnati and Joe Burrow, Baltimore and Lamar Jackson and so much more.
While his path to the playoffs may be easier where he is, Rodgers is trying to win another Super Bowl and in order to do so, he's going to have to play - and beat - the very best teams in the league and maybe the extra practice during the regular season makes a positive impact.
Photo Credit: © Mike De Sisti / USA TODAY NETWORK
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