The Green Bay Packers could be in the market for a new starting quarterback this offseason. Aaron Rodgers’ future with the team is up in the air, as he was looking for a trade last offseason and those talks could be revisited this offseason.
Finding a replacement for Rodgers should he move on is easier said than done. Those would be some big shoes to fill, as Rodgers is one of the best to ever do it. He could be looking at consecutive MVP awards, which would give him four in his career.
Also complicating things for the Packers is their salary cap situation. They are in a rough spot money-wise, as they could be heading toward a bit of a rebuild without Rodgers under center. If they go the teardown route, Jordan Love makes the most sense as the starting quarterback.
Love was selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft and was expected to be the heir apparent to Rodgers. Heading into Year 3, it is now or never for him to become the team’s starting quarterback.
If the organization has soured in Love as their answer under center, they could look to the trade route to fill the position. One player to keep an eye on in that scenario is Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Kirk Cousins.
Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur is a huge fan of Cousins. He was the quarterbacks coach in Washington when Cousins was selected in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft and he believes Cousins is an elite quarterback.
However, there would be some hurdles in acquiring Cousins. Already in dire straits with the cap, Green Bay would have to get creative taking on Cousins, who has a $45 million cap hit for the 2022 season. One way to alleviate his cap number is signing him to an extension, something that would make sense.
In that scenario, Green Bay has locked in a replacement for Aaron Rodgers for a few years and won’t have to get back on the market again next offseason. Also, it will help them navigate their salary cap woes.
Cousins may not be on the level of Rodgers, but he would be a solid replacement for the Packers. He is an efficient passer and took his game to another level the last two seasons with the emergence of Justin Jefferson and Adam Theilen.
If Green Bay can retain Davante Adams, he would have an elite target to work with once again. The Packers also have a great running game with Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon that would make Kirk Cousins’ life much easier as well.
