The Green Bay Packers are in the middle of a sequence of difficult decisions that will drastically affect the organization’s future. They must decide what to do with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and how that will impact Jordan Love‘s future. Then they have to build the roster around whichever player will start in 2023 and beyond.
There’s also a less frequently asked question, but also relatively important, about who the backup quarterback will be in the case Rodgers is traded.
The Packers have several possible paths to take. General manager Brian Gutekunst could add a quarterback or two via draft. His predecessor, Ted Thompson, did that in Rodgers’ first year as a starter. In 2008, the Packers drafted Brian Brohm in the second and Matt Flynn in the seventh. They could add a veteran in free agency to help mentor Love and be a reliable backup.
But there’s also a scenario where, depending on which team the Packers trade Rodgers to, they could take another quarterback in a trade package. Does it make sense? It could, but it’s connected with each team’s situation at QB.
I’ll list eight potential teams that could trade for Rodgers, in order of probability, and analyze each team’s depth.
New York Jets
- QB: Zach Wilson
- Contract: $3.8 million in 2023, $5.4 million in 2024, fifth-year option for 2025
Wilson has been a pretty bad quarterback for the Jets, and that’s why they are desperate to acquire a veteran – be it Rodgers via trade or Derek Carr in free agency. It would help that Wilson has two cheap years left on his rookie deal, but those are not as affordable because he was a second-overall pick. Indications are also that the Jets want to keep him around, trying to develop him while a veteran plays in a shorter-term window.
Verdict: No
Las Vegas Raiders
- QB: Chase Garbers
- Contract: $870k, ERFA in 2024
The Raiders made a bold move by deciding to part ways with Carr, who’s an average quarterback, without a replacement plan. Currently, Chase Garbers is their only quarterback under contract, who you’ve probably never heard of. He was an undrafted rookie last season and is under contract for one more year before being an exclusive-rights free agent. He would add no value to a trade package.
Verdict: No
Miami Dolphins
- QB: Tua Tagovailoa
- Contract: $4.7 million in 2023, $23.1 million fifth-year option not yet exercised for 2024
Here is where things start to get more interesting. Tua is a legit NFL quarterback and played pretty well in 2022 with a good supporting cast. However, he’s shown a limited ceiling. In Green Bay, he would probably come as a trade chip.
But if the Packers don’t trade him, he would probably be a shadow behind Jordan Love. Green Bay would probably take Tua’s fifth-year option, which is higher than Love’s, to maximize flexibility and a potential return in a trade. But what if Tua is better than Love? His floor is certainly higher.
Verdict: Yes, if it doesn’t hurt the trade package in terms of picks too much
Washington Commanders
- QB: Sam Howell
- Contract: $870k in 2023, $985k in 2024, $1.1 million in 2025
Howell is projected to enter Commanders camp as QB1, but head coach Ron Rivera hasn’t promised he’ll be the starter by Week 1. Ownership has pressured Washington’s leaders to deliver results, so a trade for an established veteran QB isn’t out of the equation. Howell would be a smart move to be an inexpensive backup, with three more years under contract.
Verdict: Yes
Carolina Panthers
- QB: Matt Corral
- Contract: $936k in 2023, $1.16 million in 2024, $1.4 million in 2025
Corral didn’t play in his rookie season because of a Lisfranc injury suffered in the preseason. Still, he is a decent prospect and could compete for a backup spot. He doesn’t have the frame nor the arm Brian Gutekunst values, but there would be no guarantees left on his deal.
Verdict: Yes, if he’s healthy
Tennessee Titans
- QB: Malik Willis
- Contract: $939k in 2023, $1.17 million in 2024, $1.4 million in 2025
I’m not using Ryan Tannehill for this exercise because he’s too expensive and the Titans would probably release him if they traded for Rodgers. Malik Willis could be part of a trade, though, in a similar situation to Howell and Corral.
However, Willis has already had more playing time. And it was rough. In eight total games, three as a starter, he finished his rookie year with a 42.8 passer rating, no touchdowns, and three interceptions. While he was seen as a raw prospect, the fact that the Titans opted to sign Josh Dobbs off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad and immediately play him over Willis is not a great sign.
Verdict: Maybe, but the Packers would still need another backup option
Indianapolis Colts
- QB: Sam Ehlinger
- Contract: $940k in 2023, $1.05 million in 2024
Ehlinger was a sixth-round pick two years ago and actually played in 2022 when the Colts’ season went off the rails. Even then, he ended up benched again in favor of Matt Ryan. His performance in three starts was underwhelming, so it’s hard to see much value in him as a backup.
Verdict: No
Atlanta Falcons
- QB: Desmond Ridder
- Contract: $948k in 2023, $1.2 million in 2024, $1.44 million in 2025
Ridder is a realistic option for the Falcons as a bridge quarterback. They drafted him as the second quarterback in last year’s draft — ahead of Willis, Corral, and Howell. Ridder has a good frame and is a smart processor. Even though he wasn’t prolific in his four starts, he didn’t make many mistakes and finished the year interception-free. That and his three cheap years are a perfect combination for a backup quarterback.
Verdict: Yes
The Green Bay Packers would probably refuse to add competition for Jordan Love after three years of him behind Rodgers. However, if the Packers are able to pull off a trade while acquiring a cheap, young backup with some potential, this is a strategy that could make sense for Green Bay’s long-term roster-building process.
