The last nine or so months have been a rollercoaster ride for Aaron Rodgers. Back in April, he demanded a trade from the Green Bay Packers for management-related reasons. When that didn’t happen, he didn’t attend any offseason or training camp activities. Then, there was the COVID-19 situation where it turned out he isn’t vaccinated despite portraying the idea that he was.
While he’ll still be a Packer until the end of the 2021 NFL season, some are wondering if he’ll be in Green Bay next year. After all, Green Bay has more flexibility to trade him after this season compared to earlier in the year.
Bovada has released odds on the situation and is currently favoring Aaron Rodgers to begin the 2022 season with the Denver Broncos at +120 odds.
This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering that the Broncos were one of the rumored trade destinations if Rodgers was to be moved earlier this year. Denver already has a decent defense, but they need that No. 1 quarterback who’ll take the offense to the next level.
Right now, the Broncos are rolling with Teddy Bridgewater under center, who isn’t anywhere close to being on Rodgers’ level. Denver also has Drew Lock — a former second-round pick — but he didn’t look like a potential superstar last year and the fact that Bridgewater is the starter shows that the organization doesn’t have much faith in the 25-year-old.
At the end of the day, players like Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant and Javonte Williams need a quarterback like Rodgers to help the offense explode. If there’s any hope of adding him this offseason, Denver needs to do it or else its playoff drought (six years) may just continue to grow.
Where Will Aaron Rodgers Play in 2022?
Odds via Bovada as of Friday, November 19
- Denver Broncos (+120)
- Green Bay Packers (+155)
- New Orleans Saints (+325)
- Las Vegas Raiders (+600)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (+750)
- Miami Dolphins (+1500)
Packers Remain in the Mix
Even though it would make sense for Aaron Rodgers to get a fresh start elsewhere, there’s always the chance that he sticks with the Packers (+155) for the 2022 NFL season.
For starters, even if it’s financially easier to move him next season doesn’t mean it’s a guarantee. After all, it’s a three-time NFL MVP that we’re talking about. Realistically, Green Bay will never get a fair return for Rodgers even at this stage of his career. He also likely gives them better odds to win a Super Bowl than any other available quarterback could.
There’s also the fact that the Packers got a preview of life without Aaron Rodgers during his COVID ordeal. Jordan Love started the 13-7 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9, going 19-for-34 (55.9%) for 190 passing yards and a touchdown to an interception. It wasn’t pretty, especially with fans knowing that those are the games that Rodgers can win.
If the Packers can surround their franchise QB with better talent this offseason, he may just wind up sticking around for another year in Green Bay.
New Orleans Saints Aaron Rodgers Odds
At +325 odds, the New Orleans Saints have the third-best odds to begin the 2022 NFL season with Aaron Rodgers on their roster.
The Saints offense was dealt a blow this offseason when Drew Brees retired from football, leaving Jameis Winston as the new No. 1 QB. He was looking pretty solid this season before a season-ending ACL tear, leaving Trevor Siemian as New Orleans’ new starter. Along with Taysom Hill, Winston and Siemian will be free agents following the season, meaning the door is open for Rodgers.
Imagining Rodgers with the likes of Alvin Kamara and a healthy Michael Thomas would certainly be something to behold. Even the Saints’ younger pass-catchers like Deonte Harris, Marquez Callaway and Tre’Quan Smith would also see a boost. Head coach Sean Payton has one of the best minds for football and the world saw what he did for Brees’ career. Rodgers may not have too many years left, however, joining the Saints may give him one more Super Bowl title before he hangs up the cleats.
