A Patriots trade for future Hall-of-Fame QB, and it’s not Tom Brady

Could the New England Patriots trade for Aaron Rodgers, rather than bringing back Tom Brady? In this farfetched NFL universe, anything is possible.

With the Packers season nearly in the rearview mirror, let the Aaron Rodgers trade scenarios commence.

No. 12 took a slight step back this season, but it’s unclear how much of that had to do with the loss of Davante Adams, and how much (if any) was due to his age. Rodgers could still have plenty left in the tank, should he want to play. A change in destination might light a fire under him.

Much of this needs to be filed under the ‘what if’ department, and I’ll admit a trade of Rodgers isn’t that likely. Yet, Brett Favre leaving Green Bay was deemed unlikely until, one year, it just happened. If Rodgers wants to play forever, he can get a job somewhere.

Even that remains in question, though, as Rodgers has admitted he thinks about retirement, and life after football.

When will Aaron Rodgers retire?

Rodgers does not regret coming back for the 2022 season, despite the Packers struggles.

“I think that’s an exaggeration,” Rodgers said in early November, per Sports Illustrated. “Frustration and miserability are two different emotions. When I decided to come back, it was all in and I don’t make decisions on hindsight 20/20, you know, regrets about big decisions like that. So, I was all in.”

Will this season have an impact on Rodgers plans moving forward? If so, perhaps he’ll want to retire rather than risk an obvious regression, whether it be in Green Bay or elsewhere.

Could the Packers trade Aaron Rodgers to the Patriots?

The Packers could take on a manageable cap hit in 2023 and 2024 if they trade Rodgers after June 1. With that in mind, sure, there’s obviously a chance Green Bay could deal him to New England.

In the NFL, we’ve learned to expect the unexpected. Assuming Bill Belichick and the Patriots are unhappy with their output at the QB position (they should be), then Rodgers would be in play should he want to come back. In that case, the Jordan Love era would be blocked for another year.

To acquire Rodgers, it would take a lot of draft capital. Because the Packers would trade Rodgers after June 1, the earliest draft picks they could acquire in return would be in 2024.

Patriots Get

QB, Aaron Rodgers

Packers Get

2024 first-round pick

2024 third-round pick

2025 conditional first-round pick

The conditional first-round pick in 2025 would be if Rodgers plays a full season in New England without injury.

Rodgers price tag remains steep, especially because (when healthy) he can still play at a high level. The issue for the Patriots, however, that they don’t have many weapons to surround No. 12 with.

But Rodgers alone would raise the level of play in the Patriots receiver room, and that’s a good start.