At this point, will the bounty really be as rich as Packers fans imagine? By now Rodgers is likely overexposed. Who wants to pay through the nose and mortgage the future for a quarterback who consistently underperforms in the playoffs? Especially after this year's showing, when greater minds than I couldn't help noticing how uninterested Rodgers appeared in the second half, how he looked like he wanted to be anywhere in the world but Lambeau Field in that moment. It was eerily reminiscent of that final playoff game against the Giants, when Favre spent the second half looking like he couldn't wait to retreat into his warm, private locker room.
Last year, I think the Packers could have named their price. After this most recent postseason debacle, not to mention all the offseason drama, not so much.
Originally Posted by: Nonstopdrivel
That is a great question - and I think the answer is "yes" if Aaron indicates he's committed to playing 2-3 years more (having a contract paying $45-$50 million per season for a new team would also entice him to continue playing too, I'm sure). To use a basketball analogy: having Aaron Rodgers as your starting QB = being a treadmill team, where the "treadmill" is getting to the playoffs and that's about it. Rodgers, for whatever reason, is not going to get you to a Superbowl - but he definitely gives a team the boost to contend for the playoffs.
There are some teams, I'd imagine, that would be more than happy to accept first/second round playoff exit as their ceiling for the next couple of years - and desperate enough that they are willing to part with some good-to-great draft capital for the allure of "make it to the playoffs and you have a chance to get to the Superbowl" mindset even though it is fleeting with Aaron as your starting QB. Dolphins, Steelers, Browns, Broncos and Colts come to mind. Heck, maybe Washington, Panthers, Falcons or the Saints might be added to the list depending on how the off-season unfolds.
A couple of firsts, a prospect or two (I'd even take full-time special teamers that are good, honestly) and one or two day 2 picks isn't a steep price to pay for a QB that is a walking playoff berth and a 3 year window to "contend" (assuming Rodgers commits to play that long for the new team). If the Packers want to throw in Adams, I'm sure you can get at least an additional day 2 pick.
Especially if the Packers are willing to accept conditions on picks (for example, two round 2 picks that turn to firsts depending on a team reaching the playoffs with Aaron), then I think the haul will be on par with fan's expectations. I'm hoping (praying?) that recent attempts by LaFleur to indicate the team wants Aaron back are just attempts to further shift leverage the Packers' way and not have a team lowball them.
The NFL: Where Greg Jennings Happens.