Will Raiders pivot from Tom Brady to Aaron Rodgers?

Oakland Raiders v Green Bay Packers
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The Raiders have made it clear that they’ll be moving on from quarterback Derek Carr. Which means they’ll need a quarterback to move in.

Many believed they’d make a run at Tom Brady, given the familiarity that coach Josh McDaniels has with Brady from their many years together in New England.

As one source with knowledge of the dynamics with the Raiders told PFT in the aftermath of Wednesday’s news, the Raiders “absolutely” were counting on Brady being available. And with Brady out of play, the source predicted that they’ll now try to secure the services of Aaron Rodgers.

There’s not a high degree of optimism that they’ll get him, however. First, he has to decide to leave the Packers (which frankly could mean taking the hint that they want him to leave). Second, he’d possibly be more inclined to reunite with Nathaniel Hackett — the new offensive coordinator of the Jets — if he leaves than to spin the wheel on the Patriot Way West.

Former Packers teammate Davante Adams seems to think that it’s doable. He responded early Thursday to a question regarding the specific location of this Mr. Rodgers’s new neighborhood with one word: “Mine.”

However it plays out, having Brady out of the mix should make the chase for Rodgers more interesting. Any team that was thinking seriously about trying to get Brady should now be thinking seriously about trying to pursue a future walk-in Hall of Fame quarterback who is more than six years younger.

72 responses to “Will Raiders pivot from Tom Brady to Aaron Rodgers?

  1. Rodgers said doesn’t want to play till 45 like Brady and he will be 40 in December this year so he most likely has about two years left. And he wants another ring. Packers don’t seem to be the kind of team that can go “all in” so he has to find a ready to win team that needs a quarterback. There are only few teams that fit his criteria. Also, his high salary can be a crutch for teams with cap issues.

  2. The Raiders should think long term. Look how Brady gradually flamed out in Tampa–Aaron is on the same trajectory.

  3. They look dumb enough to mortgage everything on that contract while also giving up on the future with a couple of first and second rounders

  4. Raiders pinned all their hopes on a 45 year old guy who’d already retired once?

    That is such a Raiders strategy.

    Maybe Mark Bowl Cut Davis can give Mr Immunized the leftover contract from Chucky. There’s what, 8 years $80M left on it?

  5. I’m not as concerned about this as I am that the set of golf clubs I sent to Brady last year counts for this year.

  6. Aaron Rodgers only cares about becoming MVP Aaron Rodgers again. “Hack” offers the path of least resistance to that goal. If he gets a clue and moves on from GB, it’ll be to join the J-E-T-S Jets.

  7. Once the New England Patriots hired Bill O’Brien, the Pats trading Mac Jones to the Raiders became a very real possibility. Bill O’Brien knows more about Bryce Young than other person in the NFL. If he sincerely believes that Young is next great franchise QB, then the Pats could trade Mac Jones to the Raiders for the 7 pick. Trade that 7 with their 14 and their second round pick to Bears 1 overall and draft Bryce Young.

  8. Brady changed his mind last year, it’ll be final after the trade deadline passes next year and he’s not playing so let’s not rule Brady out just yet.

    Last year he had more incentive to retire with him having to choose between the NFL and his family. This year he has nothing stopping him from unretiring in August if he so desires.

  9. A tough choice for the Raiders Brady even at 46 is still better than Rodgers could ever hope to be.

  10. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mark Davis starts calling some of the shots for the Raiders. Al Davis used to run the show. Mark has stayed in the owner’s box. But after all these years of hiring “football experts” to run the team, he’s missing the playoffs every year. Mark also knows that it’s a QB league and sees what happens when losing teams find a good QB. They almost instantly become playoff teams. I’m not sure Mark has ever been a big fan of Carr’s, but he’s allowed all the experts he’s hired, to stick with Carr and keep losing. I don’t know if Mark would make the right call, but nobody he’s hired has gotten that position right. So, maybe signing Rodgers is going to be a decision Mark Davis makes.

  11. why would any respectable QB want to play for such a disorganized organization considering the last moves they have made in the past few years

  12. Just stop! Do you believe that Ziegler is really that dumb? We’ve got cap space and a lot of draft picks. Why would anyone be so stupid as to say, “nah, instead of building our team, let’s just put the same team on the field with a washed quarterback who will retire next year”?

  13. Tashan Reed of The Athletic asked Dave Ziegler, the General Manager of the Raiders, this question: “You’re set to have a lot of cap space and draft picks this offseason. How beneficial is having the added flexibility that brings?”

    His response:

    “Allocating a bunch of resources to one player at one position, I don’t know how intelligent that is…”

    When you look at Rodgers and his current contract (which has a guaranteed $59 Mil bonus due this year), it sure looks like trading for Rodgers isn’t very “intelligent” in Ziegler’s opinion.

  14. I think the Raiders had no shot with Brady anyway. I honestly think they already had preliminary talks with GB about Rodgers. That is where the Renfrow and Waller talks came from.. GB wanted Waller last year, I think they will exchange 1st round picks and send a second to GB, Waller and Renfrow. For Rodgers

  15. Rogers should make a play to go to SF. They would be the instant SB favorite from the NFC

  16. First of all Raiders should resign Jared Stidham. He showed some potential, especially against SF. If they could get him for two years at a good price. LV needs to see what’s available at pick number 7. Then, they could have to young possibilities at a good price, Jared Stidham and a rookie 1st rounder. Go after a veteran if available, but nothing over 15 million per season. Basically, they need to build, to construct a team without getting into cap trouble which means building thru the draft and adding free agents that are cap friendly. Let’s see if the new HC and GM can draft. Going after Aaron Rogers flushes away all resources to build on.

  17. The Raiders are the furthest thing from the Partriots Way. Belichick would never be trading away top picks for a WR over 30 and pay an over the hill Chandler Jones.

  18. I can’t wait for Rodgers to force the Packers hand (even though he has said he won’t) and come back and say how much he desires to play another year in Green Bay. Just to see how they react. Drama, drama…and more drama…

  19. Just wanting the saga to be done. I hope ARod makes up his mind soon to play elsewhere or retire. This Packer fan has been done with his nonsense for a number of years. I’d take whatever for draft compensation….key is getting out from under that stupid contract they foolishly offered. He isn’t winning a SB so why pay him top tier?

  20. The Raiders don’t pivot, they have to grind to a screeching halt to turn.

  21. supercharger says:
    February 2, 2023 at 8:28 am
    Rodgers is no Brady.

    ———————————–
    @supercharger

    You’re right. Less of a system QB and a more skilled passer. Less accomplishments. Different guys for sure.

  22. The Raiders would have to send Carr and 2 picks. Not sure if it is worth it. It would be doable if Rodgers were willing to restructure in order to put the team together. There a lot of holes on the OL, DL, LB and Secondary. They are not a Rodgers away from winning a Super Bowl.

  23. It’s very hard to believe any team would give the Packers draft compensation to inherit an old QB with a $110 million dollar cap hit over the next two years. If anything, the Packers should be giving draft compensation to get rid of that awful contract.

  24. Best case scenario IF they really wanted to get Rogers, trade DOWN this year’s 7th overall pick to add two or three additional picks and packages that for a trade for Rogers to prevent from giving up the entire next two drafts.

  25. raidernick12 says:
    February 2, 2023 at 8:42 am
    I think the Raiders had no shot with Brady anyway. I honestly think they already had preliminary talks with GB about Rodgers. That is where the Renfrow and Waller talks came from.. GB wanted Waller last year.
    ______________

    What Renfrow and Waller talks? There have been no such talks. And the Packers did not want Waller last year. Green Bay wants nothing to do with a non-blocking TE.

  26. It’d be great if they do.

    AFC team, out West, with Rodgers’ buddy Adams.

    They can get in a bidding war with the Jets, who are loaded and have Rodger’s other buddy, Nathaniel Hackett.

    The Pack can reap the rewards and move on.

  27. Wherever Rodgers goes I hope it happens soon because then Jordan Love will know he is finally the starting quarterback in Green Bay and can work even harder during the offseason to get ready to take the helm of the Packers going foreward.

  28. A long time Packers fan who is praying feverishly that either the Raiders or the Jets pull the lever on a trade. His time in Green Bay is done because the word ‘rebuild’ should be on the walls at Lambeau.

  29. Unbelievably sick, tired, nauseated and disgusted with the never ending Aaron Rodgers saga.

    Jordan Love seems like a really good dude. Hopefully he will make GB fans put AR in the rear view mirror.

  30. raiders247 says:
    February 2, 2023 at 9:10 am
    The Raiders would have to send Carr and 2 picks. Not sure if it is worth it. It would be doable if Rodgers were willing to restructure in order to put the team together. There a lot of holes on the OL, DL, LB and Secondary. They are not a Rodgers away from winning a Super Bowl.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    No offense, but as a Packer fan, I don’t see them wanting Carr. I think they’re ready to roll with Love. I know I am.

    There was speculation about the Bears moving on from Fields but that seems to have been quieted… by the Bears themselves. I just read a real interesting take in another thread here about the Pats possibly trading for the Bears’ #1 pick and taking Bryce Young (hence the Bill O’Brien hire). That would put Mac Jones in play.

    Trey Lance AND Jimmy G are about to be on the market as well, it looks like. Of course with Jimmy G, it’s all about health.

  31. harryhodag says:
    February 2, 2023 at 9:33 am
    A long time Packers fan who is praying feverishly that either the Raiders or the Jets pull the lever on a trade

    ———-

    Why? So you can look forward to last place in the NFC North for years to come?

  32. A story came out that one of the reasons that McDaniels wanted to move on from Carr was because Carr couldn’t handle the criticism of being called out for even the tiniest of mistakes. With Rodgers being famous for throwing other players under the bus and not accepting any blame, this seems like a worse fit than Carr was from handling criticism. Rodgers never accepts any blame. How would he take being called out in front of the whole team? Probably worse than the guy the Raiders are moving on from.

  33. Carr and Rodgers would be 2 separate contracts. The Raiders trading car for picks would soften the blow for being Aaron on board. He’d be a star in Vegas (fawned iover) AND by choosing the Raiders he has a chance to burnish his image and winning against the likes of those QBs in that division. Imagine how his image would be changed instantly if he went 5-1 or 4-2 against the division. Yes, unlikely, but his stats would be better throwing to Adams, Waller and Jacobs, and the D could be perceived as what’s holding the team back.

  34. The Jets are in cap hell. They are already over the 2023 cap. Tell me how they would fit Rodgers in???

  35. Memo to McZieg: Ignore all shiny objects; keep all your picks and take Best Avail. OL/DL in Rd. 1; take Jake Haener on Day 2 for future QB1. You’re welcome.

  36. Brady is the GOAT, but I really don’t see why any team would want him. You have to have too many pieces in place for him to be viable. Max protection, a great running game, topflight receivers, etc. We all saw those terrible passes Brady threw this year. Any other QB would not have been given a pass. And when QB makes bad decisions when he doesn’t want to get hit, it’s time to go. The new wave of the best QBs today, make it happen with their legs when things break down. Brady knew it was time to hang up the cleats. Absolutely no shame in that. How many QBs can play to age 45? Remarkable.

  37. The Raiders aren’t a QB away from contending and I don’t think Rodgers has many seasons left in him. This would be a bad time to mortgage the future

  38. Also Re: TB12, I do not think the Raiders were ever in play to get him this time around. He left NE and Josh McDaniel’s and proved he could do it without him. No one can stand him. Look at his Denver stint.

  39. Why oh why would you want to play for the absolutely insane Raiders? Has no one watched this team the last 30 or so years??

  40. I keep thinking about the San Francisco/Las Vegas game and how big my eyes got as I watched Jarrett Stidham shred the top defense in the league — 350 yards, three TDs. And it wasn’t like the Niners were phoning it in; they still could have been the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Stidham threw with confidence and into tight windows and when he came to the line, he pointed to defenders and called out blocking assignments, ala Brady. I think there’s more than a little chance that the Raiders will roll with Stidham next season and he will be a huge surprise, the Geno Smith of 2023 … playoffs and Pro Bowl.

  41. nhpats2011 says:
    February 2, 2023 at 9:41 am
    harryhodag says:
    February 2, 2023 at 9:33 am
    A long time Packers fan who is praying feverishly that either the Raiders or the Jets pull the lever on a trade

    ———-

    Why? So you can look forward to last place in the NFC North for years to come?

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    No, so Jordan Love can make the clueless cry for fifteen more years about how “the Packers just lucked right into another one.”

  42. Lets all be honest here: he’s not gonna win a Super Bowl with either the Pack or the Raiders. If his motivation is the Super Bowl and he wants a real shot at winning it all, he’d have to go to San Fran, and they’re likely done trading draft picks for QBs. He’ll either retire or stay with the Pack and fight with the Lions for the NFCN title, get into the playoffs as a wild card, lose and then go through this dance one more time next year.

  43. The Raiders aren’t an Aaron Rogers away from being competitive. Need to build this properly, but with Mark Davis the owner, will be the same garbage that has been the last two decades

  44. PIVOOOT!!! Ross, from Friends, might as well be running the raiders, he couldn’t do worse.

  45. The best thing about Brady retiring is that it drives up the price for Rodgers in a trade! Let the Jets and Raiders out bid each other! As a Packers fan I can only hope that they tell Rodgers if he wants to come back that he will be doing it without Cobb, Lewis and Bahktair! Probably Mason Crosby as well! That will force Aaron’s hand! Oh’ after that trade Love and Draft a real QB!

  46. $110m cap hit over 2 years to team that trades for Rodgers???? Again people, learn how the cap works before typing. If/when GB trades Rodgers to say Raiders… GB 2023 cap hit $30mil BUT Raiders 2023 cap hit ONLY $15mil. A rich owner would be ecstatic to pay Rodgers $59m and ONLY take a $15m cap hit allowing them to sign more talent now and make a 2023 SB run. The trend has been clear, go for broke if think can win the SB! Ask Ram fan’s if their just fine with winning last years SB but not making playoffs this year…. HELL YEAH!

  47. imo many have it wrong. Rodgers knows what he has in GB and runs the show. Anyplace else and he takes orders and plays to the whim of the hc.
    He doesn’t take orders so I see him coveting his little power structure and keeping his ego in tact.
    he doesn’t give a hoot about super bowls or playoffs, as much as he likes to steer the ship his way to protect his records.

  48. tb12bestqbevah says:
    February 2, 2023 at 7:30 am
    Raiders pinned all their hopes on a 45 year old guy who’d already retired once?

    That is such a Raiders strategy.
    —————————————————-
    The Raiders never pinned their hopes on a 45 year old QB. There was speculation, just as there was that he could go to the Dolphins or even back to the Pats.

  49. As a Packer’s fan–YES PLEASE. Anything that eliminates a veteran QB option. Maybe the Jets and Raiders would bid against each other,…we can only hope. Personally, I think anything beyond 1, just 1 first round draft pick is a win for the Packers. Give Love his chance in ’23, if he’s not the guy, you then likely have some ammo to move up in ’24 draft for the next dart throw at a QB.

  50. Buck Joe Fiden says:
    February 2, 2023 at 9:36 am
    Can’t the Raiders draft a quarterback?

    =====

    Before Carr, the last time they tried drafting a QB was Jamarcus Russell. And how did that pan out?

  51. Just delusional.

    Rodgers contract is a team killer as you are chewing up a ton of money for a guy who is on his downhill side (and it could accelerate ala Manning and Brady) so why would the Raiders (other than stupidity) want him?

    And from Rodgers point of view do you REALLY think he wants to be looking up at Mahomes and Hebert twice a year for the rest of his career? And also have to play a Payton coached Broncos? The NFCN are patsies in comparison.

    The reality is Rodgers is retiring as a Packer. He has no choice due to declining skills and a really expensive contract. The Packers have no choice because they can’t trade him (see contract).

    If a team REALLY wanted Rodgers (and you know the Packers would love to get out of that contract on the cheap) he’d have to agree to rework the contract so it is palatable to the new team and GB doesn’t have to swallow a ton of dead cap space and then GB would have to accept a couple of low round draft choices. AND just WHY would he want to give up millions of dollars for a 1/32 chance to get another ring?

    And he AIN’T going to the Jets. Both Douglas and Saleh are too smart for that (even if Woody isn’t).

  52. Bill O’Brien knows more about Bryce Young than other person in the NFL. If he sincerely believes that Young is next great franchise QB, then the Pats could trade Mac Jones to the Raiders for the 7 pick.
    _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

    Mac Jones is not worth anything close to the 7th pick in the draft … maybe the 7th pick of the second round … maybe.

  53. Wasn’t it just a couple days that this site was poking fun about “reports” that Rodgers could be traded because they weren’t reporting anything new?

    Did I dream that?

  54. No one knows for sure if Brady was first choice all along for Raiders. Teams can’t just openly tamper.

  55. This off-season will be insane regardless, a lot of GMs willing to take huge risks. ARod is a good regular season QB, so if he goes to NY it’s over for the Pats.

  56. Rodgers already stated that he will need to rework his contract if he stays in Green Bay or moves onto another team. Raiders should go get him so GB can move forward with Jordan Love.

  57. It took Rodgers a whole season to get comfortable in the Shanahan scheme when LaFleur got to town.

    He’s running out of chances. I can’t see him starting fresh elsewhere.

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