Getty The Green Bay Packers and New York Jets still haven't finalized a trade for Aaron Rodgers, and rumors are swirling that a new team is interested in the star QB.
With the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets still working on finalizing an Aaron Rodgers trade, another AFC team is rumored to be interested in Rodgers.
“According to a former NFL executive that spoke to NFL Analysis Network, the Tennessee Titans have reached out to the Packers about Aaron Rodgers,” NFL Analysis Network’s Kenneth Teape wrote. “While the executive does caution that a deal with the Jets is most likely, the Titans are a team to watch should those talks actually fall through.”
The Titans, according to Teape, join the San Francisco 49ers as teams that could make a run at Rodgers if a deal with the Jets can’t be worked out.
It has been more than a month since Rodgers announced on The Pat McAfee Show that he intended to play for the Jets next season. However, as Round 1 of the draft inches closer, there have been few updates as to where the two sides stand on a potential deal getting done.
While it’s unclear about the reliability of the source, the rumor has since been aggregated and picked up by multiple sites, including SI.com. However, if the Titans really are interested in Rodgers, it could force New York’s hand and have them work to meet Green Bay’s asking price before the end of this year’s draft.
Latest on Aaron Rodgers Trade
Despite rumors popping up about the Titans and 49ers, all signs are still pointing toward Rodgers playing for the Jets in 2023.
Despite that, it’s still unclear when a trade could be finalized. ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared that the two sides continue to be dug in heading into the 2023 NFL draft, and that there’s a possibility that the two sides are unable to work out a deal until after draft weekend. That means that Packers and Jets fans could be waiting even longer for the trade drama to be over.
Charles Robinson with Yahoo! Sports revealed the Packers’ asking price, with Green Bay asking for a second-round pick in this year’s draft along with a guaranteed first-round pick in 2024. Robinson also shared that a similar deal with in place, but Jets owner Woody Johnson got cold feet when Rodgers told McAfee that he was leaning toward retirement prior to his darkness retreat.
Neither side seems willing to budge at the moment, but that could change once the Carolina Panthers are on the clock with the first overall pick on the evening of April 27.
Could The Titans Afford Aaron Rodgers?
The Titans may be interested in acquiring a four-time MVP, but the financials surrounding a trade would make it quite difficult for the AFC South franchise.
According to Over the Cap, the Titans currently have just $10 million in cap space for 2023. However, that number skyrockets up to $106 million in 2024, giving the Titans a lot more financial flexibility after this upcoming season.
However, that still won’t be enough cap space this year to afford Rodgers’ massive contract. The 39-year-old has a cap hit of $31 million for this upcoming season, and while the Packers could take on a part of that deal, it would require serious draft compensation in return.
Given the state of Tennessee’s roster, it’s much more likely that the team is interested in a long-term rebuild rather than taking a big swing on a quarterback like Rodgers, especially with Ryan Tannehill still on the roster.
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