We are less than a week removed from another devastating loss by the Green Bay Packers. After all the hype, the Green and Gold again couldn’t get their business done at home in the cold. I think we can officially put the idea of that advantage to bed. And even though the playoffs haven’t started, the rumors around the team are already circulating.
It’s always strange to hear about things that might happen before we get to watch the Minnesota Vikings lose in the playoffs. And while it doesn’t hurt to have fun with the rumor mill, it seems like people immediately go to ridiculous lengths instead of staying within the realm of reality. The Packers don’t have a lot of salary cap space to work with. Even though Russ Ball is a genius when it comes to cap manipulation, when you are paying the quarterback about 52% of your salary cap, there isn’t much that can be done.
What will this team look like next year? Who knows. Aaron Rodgers will probably be back, but Jordan Love should get a chance with this offense. Aaron Jones is the lifeblood of this Packers team, but he will also be taking about $20 million off next year’s cap. Will Joe Barry be fired like everyone wants, despite Matt LaFleur’s earlier comments? Only time will tell. Until then, let’s address some of the rumors that have already blossomed on social media.
Quarterback Rumors
The rumors about Aaron Rodgers will exist as long as he’s around. He’s getting close to 40 years old. Even though he is still playing at a high level, a change might happen — whether it begins with him or the organization. And I think Rodgers will be back. I would love to see Love get a full year playing for the Packers, but you don’t always get what you want.
Let’s start off with a bang with one from Facebook. Remember, Facebook groups are the worst, and you should leave all of them. Abandon the whole app if you can. Unless you found this article from there, in which case, thank you, and keep on doing what you’re doing.
While I was perusing Facebook, this little tidbit caught my eye:
Do I hate the thought of trading the 15th-overall pick and Jordan Love for a superstar quarterback? Absolutely not. Does Michael need to charge his phone? 100%. There is just one giant issue with all of this. The 26-year-old Baltimore Ravens quarterback is not on the trading block. Lamar Jackson is a free agent next season, so that would not make sense. And he will probably cost as much as Rodgers does.
I’ve also seen Rodgers linked to just about any team that needs a quarterback. Las Vegas Raiders fans obviously want him because they have Davante Adams, and Derek Carr basically confirmed on social media that he will not be returning to the team. I don’t think the Raiders want that contract, but who knows? I’ve seen him linked to the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, and the San Francisco 49ers. I would love to see him calling audibles at the goal line and refusing to give Derrick Henry those scores.
Wide Receiver Rumors
The Packers finally hit on a receiver in the last draft. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs look like the superstar duo of the future for Green Bay. But that doesn’t mean they can’t upgrade this offseason. It will probably be done via the draft again, but that hasn’t stopped the rumors.
Obviously, Davante Adams’ name has come up. Of course, it would be amazing for him to return. But his giant contract caused Adams and Rodgers to play on different teams in the first place. Rodgers knew that Adams would be leaving once he signed his latest contract. For Adams to return, the Raiders would have to release him and take a massive contract hit. Then he would have to take a new deal with the Packers, and Rodgers would also have to restructure. It’s a nice thought, but doubt it will happen. I see Rodgers heading to Las Vegas before Adams returns to Green Bay. I think Adams ends up retiring as a Packer, though.
The other big rumor I’ve seen is DeAndre Hopkins coming to Green Bay.
First of all, who changes their number, Hopkins or Love?
Secondly, I don’t know how closely folks have been paying attention to this Packers team. I can’t remember the last time they signed an aging and overpaid receiver. Yes, they brought in receivers like Devin Funchess and Sammy Watkins. But those were low-risk deals, and look how they ended up. Not great.
Obviously, Hopkins is much better than both of those players, and it would be a blast to see him in Green Bay. The big issue again is cap space. Hopkins will be getting almost $19.5 million in 2023 and another $15 million in 2024 before his contract is up. Again, he could restructure, but that’s a lot of money. Would you be okay with releasing Aaron Jones for Hopkins? He isn’t getting any younger, either. He will be 33 when he is a free agent again.
Hopkins is a game-changer for sure. It’s just one of those situations where he will end up being traded somewhere, and until then, we will see 20 tweets about how the Packers were involved or had discussions, but nothing will end up happening.
Former Players Returning Rumors
The craziest rumor that I have seen gaining traction is a former quarterback returning to the Pack. I’ve seen on multiple outlets that Brett Favre is being linked to being a possible coach next year to help out head coach Matt LaFleur.
I’m totally kidding. That’s 100% made up and don’t want Favre anywhere near Green Bay anymore. He was fantastic when he played, but everything after that has been a disaster and better left alone. That was an example of how easy it is to create a rumor about a player or a team.
I would not complain if a 2023 Packers team has Jordan Love as the starting quarterback, DeAndre Hopkins catching passes from him alongside two young wideouts, all while Aaron Rodgers killing it in Las Vegas and throwing touchdowns to Davante Adams. I don’t see any of that happening, but you never know.
The best course of action is to enjoy this year’s NFL playoffs, especially the Vikings’ inevitable demise, and just hope for free agency to get here as fast as it can.
