The reigning, defending NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers has reportedly narrowed his wish list of teams he would like to play for next season to three.
Those three teams, according to NBC Sports reporter Mike Florio, are the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tennessee Titans.
The report stated that Rodgers could very well return to the Green Bay Packers, but if he were to leave the only NFL team he’s ever known, those are the three teams he has his eye on.
Green Bay would obviously love to retain the MVP and former Super Bowl champion. If the team can re-sign some key pieces and bring back Rodgers, they would most likely be among the favorites to win the NFC Championship next season.
But, the decision ultimately comes down to Rodgers and what he wants. No one is really certain of the situation he wants to be in and what he’s prioritizing while he evaluates his options.
If Rodgers decides to spurn the Packers and request a trade to one of the teams on his wish list, they will likely be at the top of many lists for teams likely to compete for a Super Bowl next season.
Let’s take a look at the three teams Aaron Rodgers is reportedly considering while he mulls his future in the NFL, which reports say could come as soon as March 8.
No 3. Aaron Rodgers to the Denver Broncos
Aaron Rodgers has the opportunity to play for Nathaniel Hackett, a man who served as Green Bay’s offensive coordinator from 2019-2021.
Hackett was hired to be the next head coach of the Denver Broncos in late January and that could be of extreme interest to Rodgers. The man did win two back-to-back MVP awards running his schemes, after all. The success the two have had cannot be discounted.
In the Denver Broncos, Rodgers could follow in the footsteps of a former legendary quarterback who left the only team he ever knew to compete for one more championship in Denver.
That’s right. We’re talking about Peyton Manning. The man who left the Indianapolis Colts after 13 seasons bolted to Denver and won a Super Bowl and another MVP trophy.
Additionally, Rodgers would have at his disposal, John Elway, one of the all-time great quarterbacks and someone who can relate and communicate with Rodgers on a level few executives ever could.
Elway currently serves as the President of Football Operations for the Denver Broncos. He’s been in the front office for Denver since 2011.
In terms of the Broncos and their competition, Rodgers would be playing in AFC West— one of the most competitive divisions in the entire NFL. He’d be regularly facing Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, Justin Herbert and the LA Chargers, Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders.
In terms of potential new teammates, Rodgers would have two exciting young receivers to target in Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. He would have potentially returning running back Melvin Gordon III, an unrestricted free agent.
Aaron Rodgers would be lining up behind an offensive line that gave up 40 sacks last season (31 to Teddy Bridgewater and 9 to Drew Lock). Rodgers was sacked 30 times behind the Packers’ offensive line during the 2021 season.
No 2. Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have become accustomed to a certain expectation out of the quarterback position after a future Hall of Famer spoiled them with years of success.
The black and yellow have bid farewell to Ben Roethlisberger, who led the franchise to two Super Bowls in his 18 seasons with the team, creating a massive vacancy that seems like it could be filled by another legendary quarterback— Aaron Rodgers.
The current Green Bay Packer star, who reportedly has interest in joining the AFC North team, would be joining an ultra-competitive division that boasts the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens.
In Pittsburgh, Rodgers would be able to team up with a proven Super Bowl-winning coach in Mike Tomlin. One of the most respected coaches in today’s game, Tomlin and Brady are both two brilliant football minds that seems like an ideal pairing on paper.
The roster for the Steelers is stocked with great talent on both sides of the ball. 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt anchors a very good defense.
Running back Najee Harris is one of the league’s most exciting young running backs who can burn defenses running the ball or receiving.
The wide receiver position is also deep, depending on the outcome of free agents JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, and Ray-Ray McCloud. If Davante Adams wants to follow Rodgers to whichever team he chooses, this could be one of the scariest offenses in the entire league.
Aaron Rodgers joining the Pittsburgh Steelers would likely make them instant Super Bowl contenders next season.
No 1. Aaron Rodgers to the Tennessee Titans
The best landing spot for superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the Tennessee Titans and it all comes down to them being in the easiest division in the NFL.
It’s easy to assume that winning Super Bowls is probably pretty high on the priority list for the 2021 NFL MVP. What better place to do that than with a team that is already stocked with talent and in an easy division?
The Titans, who compete in the AFC South, have faced minimal resistance in their quest to winning division titles during the last two seasons.
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans are in rebuilds and are no threats to win the AFC South any time soon. The Indianapolis Colts can’t seem to get across the finish line, tripping over their own feet late in the season.
Of the teams on Aaron Rodger’s wish list, the Titans are in the weakest division, making the path to competing for a Super Bowl the easiest, which should make them his ideal choice. We haven’t even touched on the personnel, either.
Derrick Henry, arguably the best running back in the league, would be lined up beside Rodgers, creating one of the most prolific one-two-punches in all of football.
The ability for Rodgers to sling the ball down-field will open up some massive running lanes for Henry and vice versa. Teams will have to honor the run game, which will leave the window open for Rodgers to thread some needles.
Wide receiver A.J. Brown would see his numbers elevate at a rapid pace with an all-time great like Rodgers finding him down the field.
Head Coach Mike Vrabel, the 2021 NFL Coach of the Year and former linebacker, will be able to relate to Rodgers on a unique level— the two have played against each other on the field.
A great communicator in Vrabel, a thriving city in Nashville, great weapons on offense, with a team that’s made playoff runs in four out of the past five seasons make the Titans the ideal landing spot for 4-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers next season.