Would you trade Rodgers for Watson?

[CheezWizHed]

I saw someone purpose this on FB recently and it got me thinking...

 

So, a couple ground rules - to make it simple let's call this a straight up trade and pretend the salary cap implications can be worked out to minimal impact. Not sure what trade blockers either QB might have in their contract, so lets just say it is possible. The question isn't about the logistics but the players.

 

Let's focus on would you trade Rodgers for Watson this offseason?

 

Rodgers is the better QB hands down right now, but Watson isn't that far behind. And certainly that would cement us having good QB play for years, so while I'd hate to shaft Rodgers by trading him away to Houston, I would make that trade.

 

Thoughts?

[patrickgpe]

It would never happen, but i agree with you. It would be hard to allow him to not finish his career in GB, but it would secure the success of the franchise for the next decade.

[MrTPlush]

Probably, but I’d still be a bit worried about Watson’s ability to actually lead a team to a Super Bowl.

[tmwiese55]

Good hypothetical question. I think you probably do it to have the most important spot shored up for 10 years. On the other hand, seeing what Brady is still doing in his early 40s and how good Rodgers was this year it's not crazy to think you can get 4-5 elite years out of him yet with how protective the league is on QBs.

 

How about this one (again, ignore cap stuff in the way), Rodgers for Trevor Lawrence. It would kind of be the Colts/Luck decision, other than Rodgers not coming off a bad injury like Manning. TL is still just a prospect, but he's the best prospect at least since Luck, if not Manning. Keep in mind you'd have Lawrence on rookie contract for 5 years.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I love Aaron Rodgers but you would have to be stupid not to do this if you were Green Bay.

[jerichoholicninja]

Green Bay yes.

Houston no.

[HiAndTight]

I saw someone purpose this on FB recently and it got me thinking...

 

So, a couple ground rules - to make it simple let's call this a straight up trade and pretend the salary cap implications can be worked out to minimal impact. Not sure what trade blockers either QB might have in their contract, so lets just say it is possible. The question isn't about the logistics but the players.

 

Let's focus on would you trade Rodgers for Watson this offseason?

 

Rodgers is the better QB hands down right now, but Watson isn't that far behind. And certainly that would cement us having good QB play for years, so while I'd hate to shaft Rodgers by trading him away to Houston, I would make that trade.

 

Thoughts?

 

Yeah...it's really a no-brainer if you remove the emotion from it. Watson is a stud. I think he'd thrive in this offense and they'd be able to add a couple wrinkles. Something they likely plan on doing with Love(I'd think some pre-snap motion and zone reads). But he's a far better athlete.

 

 

At 25, you'd reasonably expect 10 prime seasons out of Watson. I think you can hope for 3, maybe 4 left from Rodgers.

[HiAndTight]

Good hypothetical question. I think you probably do it to have the most important spot shored up for 10 years. On the other hand, seeing what Brady is still doing in his early 40s and how good Rodgers was this year it's not crazy to think you can get 4-5 elite years out of him yet with how protective the league is on QBs.

 

How about this one (again, ignore cap stuff in the way), Rodgers for Trevor Lawrence. It would kind of be the Colts/Luck decision, other than Rodgers not coming off a bad injury like Manning. TL is still just a prospect, but he's the best prospect at least since Luck, if not Manning. Keep in mind you'd have Lawrence on rookie contract for 5 years.

 

 

I think I'd pass on Lawrence. He's got enormous upside, but I don't know that his upside is higher than either of the next two QB's(Wilson and Fields).

 

Lawrence would align pretty well with young guys on the Packers. The Savage, Alexander, Gary, Dillon, Jenkins core. And both Adams and Bahk have enough time left that they could be around as he really gets going(assuming he does).

[HiAndTight]

Probably, but I’d still be a bit worried about Watson’s ability to actually lead a team to a Super Bowl.

 

 

 

Why? His first year as the full-time starter he went 11-5 despite a terrible offensive line.

Second-year(last year) he again led them to the playoffs where Mahomes put 51 on him.

 

This year he was great(33/7 and over 4800 yards).

 

Then throw in the fact that he had a historically great National Championship Games at Clemson where he split with Alabama and threw for nearly 900 yards and 7 TD's in the two games...unless that was a little tongue in cheek, he's about as proven a winner as you can get.

[yourout]

Hell no.

Mahomes yes..

Watson no.

[HiAndTight]

Hell no.

Mahomes yes..

Watson no.

 

 

I think you're drastically underestimating Watson.

 

In just about any other era, he'd be THE guy we're all talking about. 25 years old, not a lot of talent around him and he was still one of the best QB's in the league this year.

 

He also led the league in yards per attempt and per completion(as well as yards). And he can run.

 

I think he's probably the 3rd best QB in the league right now(behind the two you mentioned)...but when you consider he's 12 years younger...just curious why you're so adamant.

[PeaveyFury]

As others noted, the Packers would make that trade, and Houston wouldn't. You acquire Rodgers if your window to compete is now, and Houston's undoubtedly isn't.

[pacopete4]

I don't think I would do it. I know the answer is smarter to look for the down the road future with the players but I think Rodgers next 2 years will be of peak MVP style play. If you can surround that with the talents of the last couple of seasons, you have yourself the best shot of winning another SB. Couple that with drafting Love and I would say we take our chances going that road.

[Oxy]

Love and a 3rd round pick to Houston. Rodgers to SF or LAR. Garappolo or Goff plus a 1st and 2nd rounder to Houston.

 

Watson and JJ Watt to GB.

[nate82]

Love and a 3rd round pick to Houston. Rodgers to SF or LAR. Garappolo or Goff plus a 1st and 2nd rounder to Houston.

 

Watson and JJ Watt to GB.

 

LOL even Houston's previous GM would say no to that.

 

Probably would need at least one or two more 1st round picks going to Houston for this deal to work.

[patrickgpe]

I was listening to Steve Czaben on the way into work this AM and they were thinking it would take 3 1st's to get it done.

[SeaBass]

Love and a 3rd round pick to Houston. Rodgers to SF or LAR. Garappolo or Goff plus a 1st and 2nd rounder to Houston.

 

Watson and JJ Watt to GB.

 

LOL even Houston's previous GM would say no to that.

 

Probably would need at least one or two more 1st round picks going to Houston for this deal to work.

Behind a paywall on ESPN+ this is a trade scenario Bill Barnwell came up with for a Watson trade to GB as part of a column he wrote coming up with scenarios for several teams. For what it's worth he has Green Bay as the least likely destinations for Watson but he was trying to list teams that might have a reason so they were included.

 

Packers send: QB Aaron Rodgers (to 49ers), 30th overall pick in 2021, QB Jordan Love (to Texans)

49ers send: 12th overall pick in 2021, 2022 first-round pick (to Texans), 2022 second-round pick (to Packers), QB Jimmy Garoppolo (to Patriots)

Texans send: QB Deshaun Watson (to Packers), 2022 fourth-round pick (to 49ers)

Patriots send: 142nd overall pick (to 49ers)

 

He has a lot more comments about this but I don't want to plagiarize paid content over much, but this obviously would be a complicated trade that includes a lot of draft choices.

 

Green Bay sending out both Rodgers and Love plus a 1st round pick is a pretty steep price, even with them getting SF's 2nd round pick in 2022 in return. But maybe they wouldn't think it's that bad?

[HiAndTight]

Love and a 3rd round pick to Houston. Rodgers to SF or LAR. Garappolo or Goff plus a 1st and 2nd rounder to Houston.

 

Watson and JJ Watt to GB.

 

LOL even Houston's previous GM would say no to that.

 

Probably would need at least one or two more 1st round picks going to Houston for this deal to work.

Behind a paywall on ESPN+ this is a trade scenario Bill Barnwell came up with for a Watson trade to GB as part of a column he wrote coming up with scenarios for several teams. For what it's worth he has Green Bay as the least likely destinations for Watson but he was trying to list teams that might have a reason so they were included.

 

Packers send: QB Aaron Rodgers (to 49ers), 30th overall pick in 2021, QB Jordan Love (to Texans)

49ers send: 12th overall pick in 2021, 2022 first-round pick (to Texans), 2022 second-round pick (to Packers), QB Jimmy Garoppolo (to Patriots)

Texans send: QB Deshaun Watson (to Packers), 2022 fourth-round pick (to 49ers)

Patriots send: 142nd overall pick (to 49ers)

 

He has a lot more comments about this but I don't want to plagiarize paid content over much, but this obviously would be a complicated trade that includes a lot of draft choices.

 

Green Bay sending out both Rodgers and Love plus a 1st round pick is a pretty steep price, even with them getting SF's 2nd round pick in 2022 in return. But maybe they wouldn't think it's that bad?

 

I mean...it'd be fair...and again, if you're taking the salary cap out of it as was originally proposed, I'd do it.

 

You basically trade down, 10-15 spots to downgrade your QB very slightly, but you jump to another 15 years of a HOF caliber QB?

[JohnBriggs12]

Considering how Watson reacted to adversity this year, that's a huge red flag. Great talent no doubt but not a no-brainer.

[HiAndTight]

Considering how Watson reacted to adversity this year, that's a huge red flag. Great talent no doubt but not a no-brainer.

 

Wouldn't the same be said about JJ Watt? He got into it with their HC.

 

I think if I was a 25 year old QB and my coach gave away a HOF caliber WR'er in the prime of his career among the MANY terrible moves he made, I'd also want out.

 

As for his play this year, he was still elite. But a QB can only overcome so much.

[CheezWizHed]

I think Mother Theresa would've been frustrated if she was Houston's QB this year.

 

If we didn't have Rodgers, Watson would be the only established, available QB that I'd be trying to get this year. Stafford...maybe. But a big no to Wentz, Goff, Garoppolo, or Cousins. An OK QB on a big $$ contract is the worst situation you can be in.

 

Watson would be the only one I'd consider swapping with Rodgers.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

The Watson situation is once a generation type stuff. Franchise QBs just don't become become suddenly available at 25. He likely hasn't played his best yet. You hope to get someone like that with a top 5 pick, and even, it's no sure thing. He should be worth at least 3 of those picks.

[HiAndTight]

I think Mother Theresa would've been frustrated if she was Houston's QB this year.

 

If we didn't have Rodgers, Watson would be the only established, available QB that I'd be trying to get this year. Stafford...maybe. But a big no to Wentz, Goff, Garoppolo, or Cousins. An OK QB on a big $$ contract is the worst situation you can be in.

 

Watson would be the only one I'd consider swapping with Rodgers.

 

 

Haha...I'm just picturing Mother Teresa going on a hunger strike until she was traded from Calcutta to Mumbai!

 

I'm with you. I might be in on Wilson as that's starting to sound maybe a little more realistic, but I'd either look at Donald or I'd just go into the tank.

[Hopper]

Yes, yes, and yes!

Watson would be our QB for the next 10 years.

If it meant trading Rodgers and three 1st rounders, that is steep.

That would give me pause.

Rodgers and 2 first rounders? YES.

It makes me giddy to think about yet another franchise QB to follow Favre and Rodgers though.

How many teams can say they had back to back to back future hall of fame QBs start for them, in their primes?

[HiAndTight]

Yes, yes, and yes!

Watson would be our QB for the next 10 years.

If it meant trading Rodgers and three 1st rounders, that is steep.

That would give me pause.

Rodgers and 2 first rounders? YES.

It makes me giddy to think about yet another franchise QB to follow Favre and Rodgers though.

How many teams can say they had back to back to back future hall of fame QBs start for them, in their primes?

 

 

Yeah, that's be pretty crazy. There are only a handful of teams that have 3 HOF QB's in their history...the Packers being one with Starr, Favre and Rodgers(and Cecil Isabel should be in that group, but that's just my opinion).

 

But as it stands, we'll likely go 30 years with HOF play from the most important position. As much as I love Rodgers, I think MLF could do some amazing things with an athlete the caliber of Watson, and he's got great touch on deep throws.

 

More RPO's with him as a threat. It's fun to think about. I think we'd trade Rodgers for 2-3 1sts and then package them for Watson. Take a year to re-set, then re-load and make a run.

 

 

If I'm Houston, I'm doing just about everything I can to make Watson happy. Of course, that would have started by hiring Robert Saleh...who brought Mike LaFleur with him. That's probably why the Jets are reportedly very high on his list. The Packers offensive scheme, the 49'ers defensive scheme, a LT the size of Shaq already in place and a ton of cap room.

 

Put Watson on the Jets and I could see them jumping up to ~6-7 wins next year.