Getty Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr.
Perhaps the worst-kept secret in the NFL is that the Denver Broncos are hoping to swing a blockbuster trade for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason. The team has been linked to Rodgers, the league’s reigning MVP, since the 2021 offseason. And the Broncos announced on January 27 that they had agreed to terms with Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to hire him as head coach.
Should the Hackett hiring concern the Las Vegas Raiders? After all, one NFL insider, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, wrote on December 15 that the Raiders would have a serious shot at trading for Rodgers, 38.
And ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote that he believes Las Vegas has what it takes – namely, quarterback Derek Carr – to swoop in and steal Rodgers from Denver:
Carr has been an above-average quarterback for several seasons, and as he enters the final year of his contract. … He would be a smaller step down for the Packers than the one they would likely experience with [Jordan] Love as their starter. … It’s possible the Packers could flip Carr for additional picks, but he would be a reasonable replacement in the short term if they want to give Love more seasoning.
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Carr, who will be 31 years old when the 2022 season starts, started all 17 of the Raiders’ games this season and led them to a 10-7 record and a trip to the playoffs. He passed for 4,804 yards and threw 23 touchdowns against 14 interceptions.
Would Rodgers Want the Raiders?
In April 2021, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio tweeted that the Raiders were on Rodgers’ “wish list” if he were to be traded. Since then, Jon Gruden has left the Raiders as head coach and, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, signs have pointed to New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, 45, taking over as head coach. There have been no reports or rumors about how Rodgers and McDaniels would feel about working together.
Joining Rodgers would be three offensive stars who are expected to return in 2022: 29-year-old tight end Darren Waller (665 yards, two touchdowns), 26-year-old wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (1,038 yards, nine TDs) and 23-year-old running back Josh Jacobs (872 yards, nine TDs). One aspect of the Raiders that might not work in Rodgers’ favor is the offensive line, which ranked 28th in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
.@peter_king thinks the #Broncos would be “on the level” of the #Chiefs and better than the #Chargers and #Raiders if Aaron Rodgers is traded to Denver. @ProFootballTalk
What Else Would Raiders Have to Offer?
Former Sports Illustrated writer Mike Silver tweeted on January 27 that McDaniels is a fan of Carr’s, which means it’s possible the Raiders would consider sticking with Carr, who has been with the team for eight years. Carr has one more year left on a five-year contract before he can become an unrestricted free agent. Carr will make almost $20 million in 2022 while Rodgers will make about $27 million, according to Spotrac.
In a Sports Illustrated story on December 21, Albert Breer predicted the price to acquire Rodgers in a trade would be the Broncos’ first-round picks in each of the next three NFL drafts as well as two second-picks, quarterback Drew Lock and two more players. In a trade proposed by Pro Football Focus, Carr was worth two first-round picks and a second-round pick.
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Proposed Trade Has Raiders Stealing Superstar QB Broncos Are Eyeing