In the rampant speculation on potential landing spots for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, no team has been mentioned more than the Denver Broncos. While the conjecture about Rodgers’ future has been relatively quiet lately, whenever there is a blip on the radar, it always seems to involve the Broncos.
Denver’s superstar outside linebacker Von Miller has frequently chimed in on the possibility of the Broncos acquiring the reigning MVP. He poked the bear again during the MLB All-Star Game festivities, and it continues to torture Packers fans.
Miller isn’t entirely to blame. It seems that anytime he has a microphone in his face, someone lobs a question about the Rodgers trade talks at him. It happened again via 9News out of Denver, and the star linebacker wasn’t stingy with his opinions.
What have I heard? First and foremost, I’m comfortable with Drew, I’m comfortable with Teddy. [But] G.P. (George Paton) and John Elway, if A-Rod is out there for us to get him, those are the two guys to have on the job.
Way to cover the bases by mentioning you’re good with Drew Lock before more or less suggesting the front office go and get Rodgers immediately if you actually want to win.
John Elway, he’s done a great job of working the big-time guys before — Peyton [Manning] and DeMarcus [Walker] and Aqib [Talib] — all these other guys. So if there’s a guy to be had, G.P. and John Elway are the two to put on it, if it can be done. If it can’t, I’m comfortable with Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater. They’ve impressed the hell out of me and impressed the hell out of everybody during OTAs.
If you were wondering where the obligatory Teddy Bridgewater praise would be, look no further! Again, a savvy job by Miller making sure he covers his tracks.
Miller should be happy with the current quarterback situation in Denver. Lock threw for a remarkable 16 touchdowns last season while also sharing the wealth with the opposition by throwing a league-high 15 interceptions (how kind!). The second-year quarterback showed few signs of improvement from Year 1 to Year 2, but the Broncos should absolutely give him another shot this year instead of trying to acquire Aaron Rodgers. Maybe this is the year for Lock!
Bridgewater is one of the most genuine guys in the NFL. Every teammate loves him. The story of his struggle just to get back onto the field is absolutely remarkable. Having said that, there’s a reason the Carolina Panthers were fine with trading him after just one season: His play on the field has been average at best. But, hey, maybe the Broncos will be the perfect fit! They’ll never know if they don’t give him the shot — which they should — instead of trying to pry away No. 12 from Wisconsin.
A lot of teams would kill to have two super-average quarterbacks rather than one great one. Think of all the baggage that would accompany Rodgers to the Broncos. There will be Super Bowl expectations, way more pressure to win now, and intense disdain from fans in Green Bay. Who needs all that when you can skate by going 9-8 or 7-10 with subpar QB play? That sounds far more fun and relaxed.
Packers fans have long been exhausted by the burden of expectations, going from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers. You say spoiled, I say it’s a grind! It’s excruciating to watch Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings fans get their hopes up every single season only to be devastated once Green Bay wins the NFC North. It takes a lot of energy for Packers fans to gear up every year knowing the battle will almost certainly go well into January while other fanbases get to kick their feet up at the start of the New Year. Von Miller needs to appreciate the mediocrity while he can.
The rumored links to the Broncos specifically will continue as long as Rodgers keeps silent on his future. Not only does he have the Packers hanging on by a thread, but he also has the ears of front offices throughout the league. Training camp will be the date to watch for; if Rodgers is a no-show in Green Bay, Von Miller will likely be asked again about the possibility of securing the Hall of Fame quarterback. Unless they want to send Jerry Jeudy, Patrick Surtain II, and five future first-round picks, Von Miller should just get comfortable with Lock and Bridgewater.
