Aaron Rodgers Trade ideas

[PeaveyFury]

Yes, my understanding is that to tag Adams they have to be $20.12 million under the salary cap at 3cst on March 16th, the start of the league year. Of that I’m 100% sure. I’m less certain on the NFL order of operations, but I’m confident that trades aren’t processed until after the start of the league year.

[adambr2]

Getting far enough under the cap to franchise Adams for the purpose of trading Rodgers and Adams in a deal just isn't very realistic. Restructuring/extending Rodgers, saving a great deal of cap room for that and then making other moves that allow us enough space to sign Adams to a backloaded deal with a smaller up front cap hit is a far more likely possibility.

[OldHeidelberg]

Yes, my understanding is that to tag Adams they have to be $20.12 million under the salary cap at 3cst on March 16th, the start of the league year. Of that I’m 100% sure. I’m less certain on the NFL order of operations, but I’m confident that trades aren’t processed until after the start of the league year.

 

Yeah, I am sure you are right on the room needing to be cleared for the tag before the under the cap time, I just wasn't clear when that was. I guess the work around here might be extending Rodgers and Adams before that time to help with cap with the worked out trades in place. It seems easier if the NFL did allow a window to get some things done though before cap time, I mean every $ paid counts eventually anyway.

[adambr2]

Yes, my understanding is that to tag Adams they have to be $20.12 million under the salary cap at 3cst on March 16th, the start of the league year. Of that I’m 100% sure. I’m less certain on the NFL order of operations, but I’m confident that trades aren’t processed until after the start of the league year.

 

Yeah, I am sure you are right on the room needing to be cleared for the tag before the under the cap time, I just wasn't clear when that was. I guess the work around here might be extending Rodgers and Adams before that time to help with cap with the worked out trades in place. It seems easier if the NFL did allow a window to get some things done though before cap time, I mean every $ paid counts eventually anyway.

 

They do. That window is between now and March 16th.

[OldHeidelberg]

 

They do. That window is between now and March 16th.

 

I wasn't specific but I was referring to trades, which like extensions/cuts could be a tool to reduce the cap number but apparently is not allowed before then.

 

I guess from the players point of view they would rather be released than traded so I can see why they do it that way.

[Brock42]

Not interested in any trade with Denver

that does not include cornerback

Patrick Surtain Jr.

[superfly]

If Adams goes to Denver, they'll still have Courtland Sutton, KJ Hamler, and Tim Patrick, they can part w/Jeudy. Patrick isn't a household name but has developed into a quality starter and fits GB's mold of big WRs.

 

That, or it would have to be a 3-team with Denver parting with Surtain for pieces to send to GB. Surtain wouldn't do GB much good with Jaire and Stokes in the fold.

I don't know the Broncos WRs very well. Who would you take of Hamler, Patrick, Sutton and Jeudy?

 

If Adams is part of any deal, I would think the Broncos would be willing to give up one of those guys in the return package.

 

Jeudy is one of the better route runners ive ever seen. Like Barry sanders playing WR lol stopping on a dime

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Not interested in any trade with Denver

that does not include cornerback

Patrick Surtain Jr.

 

A team trading for Rodgers is doing it to win immediately; they are not going to trade a 21 y/o, cheap, star defensive player that immediately makes it harder to win 1/2 the game.

[nate82]

Not interested in any trade with Denver

that does not include cornerback

Patrick Surtain Jr.

 

If the Packers insist on Surtain then that is all they are going to get and that is it.

[LouisEly]

Yes, my understanding is that to tag Adams they have to be $20.12 million under the salary cap at 3cst on March 16th, the start of the league year. Of that I’m 100% sure. I’m less certain on the NFL order of operations, but I’m confident that trades aren’t processed until after the start of the league year.

Assuming the trade is processed first (or all transactions are processed at the same time):

1) Trade Rodgers - clears $19.7M

2) Release Z. Smith - clears $15.3M

3) Release R. Cobb - clears $6.8M

 

That's $41.8M right there. From there they can:

1) Guarantee Bakh's $10M roster bonus (clears $6.7M)

2) Guarantee Clark's $6.9M roster bonus (clears $4.6M)

3) Extend P. Smith two years and guarantee his 2022 salary and roster bonus (clears up to $7.7M)

4) Extend Lowry two years and guarantee his 2022 salary and roster bonus (clears up to $3.3M)

 

There's another $22.3M.

[MrTPlush]

I get the title is about trading Rodgers, but what exactly is one expecting for Adams (assuming he is a separate trade) considering all we are doing is providing a team the right to franchise tag him and then back up a dump truck to extend him?

 

"I'd hate to lose him for just a 3rd round comp."

 

How much better can we expect? A normal third rounder and maybe a later pick. Has a player in a similar situation really been traded for a 2nd+?

[Fear The Chorizo]

Not interested in any trade with Denver

that does not include cornerback

Patrick Surtain Jr.

 

I think the Packers are looking forward to their 2022 season with Alexander and Stokes playing cornerback, and they'll need to pay the piper before too long to extend Alexander. Would love to have Surtain, Jr., but honestly CB isn't the position the Packers should focus on adding young impact talent to their roster. Jeudy at WR, or perhaps Fant at TE - but the picks coming back should headline any trade of Rodgers.

[OldHeidelberg]

I get the title is about trading Rodgers, but what exactly is one expecting for Adams (assuming he is a separate trade) considering all we are doing is providing a team the right to franchise tag him and then back up a dump truck to extend him?

 

"I'd hate to lose him for just a 3rd round comp."

 

How much better can we expect? A normal third rounder and maybe a later pick. Has a player in a similar situation really been traded for a 2nd+?

 

The Dolphins only got a 4th and a 7th for Jarvis Landry but he isn't near the player Adams is. Jared Allen got 2 first, Frank Clark got a first, 2nd and 3rd. There are a few others somewhere in between those deals, Corey Williams drew a 2nd the last time we did it. I think given his age and high projected salary he is worth a mid to low first rounder, he is a blue chip player.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I get the title is about trading Rodgers, but what exactly is one expecting for Adams (assuming he is a separate trade) considering all we are doing is providing a team the right to franchise tag him and then back up a dump truck to extend him?

 

"I'd hate to lose him for just a 3rd round comp."

 

How much better can we expect? A normal third rounder and maybe a later pick. Has a player in a similar situation really been traded for a 2nd+?

 

According to this article, it has happened several times in the past few seasons: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/history-of-the-tag-and-trade-outcomes-for-franchise-players-and-teams/

 

Adams is arguably more valuable than any player on that list. I would expect at least a 1st, or a good player and a 2nd or 3rd.

[MrTPlush]

I get the title is about trading Rodgers, but what exactly is one expecting for Adams (assuming he is a separate trade) considering all we are doing is providing a team the right to franchise tag him and then back up a dump truck to extend him?

 

"I'd hate to lose him for just a 3rd round comp."

 

How much better can we expect? A normal third rounder and maybe a later pick. Has a player in a similar situation really been traded for a 2nd+?

 

According to this article, it has happened several times in the past few seasons: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/history-of-the-tag-and-trade-outcomes-for-franchise-players-and-teams/

 

Adams is arguably more valuable than any player on that list. I would expect at least a 1st, or a good player and a 2nd or 3rd.

 

Thanks for the article. The only thing I ponder is many of the guys listed are defensive guys...mostly pass rushers I think. Is the value they are garnering due to the rarity of them, whereas a WR is a bit easier to just go pluck out of FA. You won't find a Davante Adams...but good WRs usually are somewhat easier to find.

 

Though that article does make me think the Packers might at least expect a 2nd rounder for Adams considering his elite difference maker ability at his position.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I get the title is about trading Rodgers, but what exactly is one expecting for Adams (assuming he is a separate trade) considering all we are doing is providing a team the right to franchise tag him and then back up a dump truck to extend him?

 

"I'd hate to lose him for just a 3rd round comp."

 

How much better can we expect? A normal third rounder and maybe a later pick. Has a player in a similar situation really been traded for a 2nd+?

 

According to this article, it has happened several times in the past few seasons: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/history-of-the-tag-and-trade-outcomes-for-franchise-players-and-teams/

 

Adams is arguably more valuable than any player on that list. I would expect at least a 1st, or a good player and a 2nd or 3rd.

 

And frankly, if the Packers don't get the value they want in a trade for Adams, they likely would've already freed up cap room to get him tagged and they could hold onto him until a good trade package materializes or just roll with him into the season. I'm sure he wouldn't want to play under the franchise tag - but then again a 1 year deal around $19M is tough to pass up for a receiver in his age 29-30 season.

 

Hearing random rumors that Rodgers wants the team he plays for next season to have Adams and MVS on it....honestly the one team capable of making all that happen that isn't the Packers is Denver - and they'd be mortgaging their own future both on the salary cap and draft pool side if they want to pull the trigger in a conference that is loaded with young quarterback talent and seemingly tougher competition to reach the Super Bowl.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I get the title is about trading Rodgers, but what exactly is one expecting for Adams (assuming he is a separate trade) considering all we are doing is providing a team the right to franchise tag him and then back up a dump truck to extend him?

 

"I'd hate to lose him for just a 3rd round comp."

 

How much better can we expect? A normal third rounder and maybe a later pick. Has a player in a similar situation really been traded for a 2nd+?

 

According to this article, it has happened several times in the past few seasons: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/history-of-the-tag-and-trade-outcomes-for-franchise-players-and-teams/

 

Adams is arguably more valuable than any player on that list. I would expect at least a 1st, or a good player and a 2nd or 3rd.

 

Thanks for the article. The only thing I ponder is many of the guys listed are defensive guys...mostly pass rushers I think. Is the value they are garnering due to the rarity of them, whereas a WR is a bit easier to just go pluck out of FA. You won't find a Davante Adams...but good WRs usually are somewhat easier to find.

 

Though that article does make me think the Packers might at least expect a 2nd rounder for Adams considering his elite difference maker ability at his position.

 

Those pass rushers were all good, but none were ever considered to be in the top 2-3 at their position. Adams, on the other hand, most definitely is up there with Kupp, Samuel and perhaps a few others at the top of the WR heap, if not 1A. Players like him simply don't make it to free agency. Of the WRs who look to be available in free agency, only Chris Godwin even comes close to approaching Adams' talent level, and of course he's coming off a late-season torn ACL. Otherwise you are looking at flawed players like Allen Robinson, Will Fuller, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Williams.

 

So yeah, some team will pony up a nice return for Adams if that is the Packers' play.

[CheezWizHed]

Didn't see anyone mention Stephon Diggs as a trade example. Diggs+7th round pick = 1st, 5th, 6th, and a 4th the next year.

 

Diggs was under 3+years of control, but I'm sure any team trading for Adams would require Adams agree to a contract.

[adambr2]

1) Still don't have even close to a good enough cap situation to make this feasible, and won't have a chance to get there, unless

 

2) Rodgers frees up a ton of 2022 space on a restructure/long-term extension, in which case

 

3) We're talking about signing Adams to an extension, not tagging and trading him

[OldHeidelberg]

1) Still don't have even close to a good enough cap situation to make this feasible, and won't have a chance to get there, unless

 

2) Rodgers frees up a ton of 2022 space on a restructure/long-term extension, in which case

 

3) We're talking about signing Adams to an extension, not tagging and trading him

 

Couldn't option 2 also be done if they intended to trade Rodgers and Adams? A trading team would be extending Rodgers anyway.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

1) Still don't have even close to a good enough cap situation to make this feasible, and won't have a chance to get there, unless

 

2) Rodgers frees up a ton of 2022 space on a restructure/long-term extension, in which case

 

3) We're talking about signing Adams to an extension, not tagging and trading him

 

It's already out there in multiple media properties that if the Packers don't sign Adams to an extension before the tag deadline, they are 100% going to find a way to tag him. If Rodgers comes back, it would assuredly be under a restructured deal to free up space. If Rodgers retires or is dealt, that frees up money to tag Adams. But if that happened, Adams would likely be tagged and dealt. Absolutely no way they let him get to unrestricted free agency and allow him to walk for only a 2023 compensatory 3rd.

Edited February 1, 2022 by Ron Robinson's Beard

[MrTPlush]

1) Still don't have even close to a good enough cap situation to make this feasible, and won't have a chance to get there, unless

 

2) Rodgers frees up a ton of 2022 space on a restructure/long-term extension, in which case

 

3) We're talking about signing Adams to an extension, not tagging and trading him

 

Couldn't option 2 also be done if they intended to trade Rodgers and Adams? A trading team would be extending Rodgers anyway.

 

Not sure they would restructure him before a trade. What if they restructure it in a way that is not what the trading team wants. Every team has their unique hoops to jump through for cap problems.

[OldHeidelberg]

Not sure they would restructure him before a trade. What if they restructure it in a way that is not what the trading team wants. Every team has their unique hoops to jump through for cap problems.

 

I would expect they would do it with the trading team involved, much like you see sign and trades in the NBA to resolve cap issues. I am not sure of the specifics of how they would do it but for example they could have a large guaranteed base salary in 2023 that the trading team could convert to signing bonus next year for their own cap relief. In the obvious case of Denver they have the cap room in 22 to make pretty much anything work.

Edited February 2, 2022 by OldHeidelberg

[adambr2]

1) Still don't have even close to a good enough cap situation to make this feasible, and won't have a chance to get there, unless

 

2) Rodgers frees up a ton of 2022 space on a restructure/long-term extension, in which case

 

3) We're talking about signing Adams to an extension, not tagging and trading him

 

It's already out there in multiple media properties that if the Packers don't sign Adams to an extension before the tag deadline, they are 100% going to find a way to tag him. If Rodgers comes back, it would assuredly be under a restructured deal to free up space. If Rodgers retires or is dealt, that frees up money to tag Adams. But if that happened, Adams would likely be tagged and dealt. Absolutely no way they let him get to unrestricted free agency and allow him to walk for only a 2023 compensatory 3rd.

 

Having Ian Rapoport leak that they intend to tag him, which can be nothing more than a negotiation tactic, and actually finding the means to actually do it are two entirely different things.

 

I'm not saying it's not possible but they literally have to find a way to clear about $70M from the cap in the next month or so.

 

You are talking about adding a LOT of voidable years into veteran contracts and pushing a LOT of salary out to future years.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Is it me, or is every time the amount of salary cap the Packers need to cut get referenced, that overall figure gets larger on this board? There are so many ways the theoretical cap figure can be adjusted and altered that until we know which players they actually want to retain and which ones actually want to stay here, there's not point in discussing hypothetical cap scenarios, tbh. Roughly half of the likely salary cap savings this team needs to make before mid-march are essentially auto cuts that many teams make annually when non-guaranteed veteran contract amounts remaining get out of whack with their onfield performance.

 

Hopefully by the end of February they won't be needing to cut $134M...

 

One thing's for certain - whether or not Rodgers and Adams are Packers next season or playing elsewhere has absolutely nothing to do with what the team's longterm salary cap outlook currently looks like. We are talking about 2 of probably the top 3 or 4 players on their roster in terms of talent/production for 2022 - if they want to be here, you find a way to make the financials work to keep them around. If you don't, you utilize what limited financial control you have over those players (i.e., franchise tag) until you get viable trade offers to maximize value in return for sending them elsewhere.