Packers: 3 Jordan Love trade destinations in 2022 offseason
Three possible trade destinations for Jordan Love if the Packers keep Aaron Rodgers in 2022.
Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Green Bay Packers is, understandably, one of the stories of the offseason.
We’ve looked at three potential trade destinations for Rodgers should he want to move on and the Packers are willing to trade him, but what about Jordan Love?
Love was a first-round pick. At some point, he needs to play. If Rodgers returns to Green Bay and signs a contract extension, what does this mean for Love? Would the Packers consider moving on and trading him elsewhere?
In that scenario, let’s look at three potential landing spots for Love.
Note: Salary cap numbers are according to Over The Cap.
Denver Broncos
While a Rodgers-to-Denver trade could make a lot of sense, what about Jordan Love?
The Broncos desperately need a quarterback and, in Love, they would be getting a former first-round pick who has had the benefit of sitting behind a future Hall-of-Famer for two seasons.
Love would have some familiarity in the scheme having played under Nathaniel Hackett in Green Bay.
Without needing to take on Rodgers’ contract, Denver could use all of its $38.88 million to strengthen the roster in free agency. Maybe bringing in one of the Packers’ many free-agent wide receivers would interest the Broncos.
Love would have a strong supporting cast around him and one Denver could add to in the offseason. The Broncos would likely be unwilling to give up the ninth overall pick, but maybe the Packers could get a second-round pick in this trade scenario.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Following Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, it’s time for the Steelers to find their new quarterback to build around. Maybe it could be Love.
The Steelers might need a season or two to bounce back into playoff contention, but in Love they would have a young QB to develop, and being able to start each week would help him get better. In the meantime, the Steelers could use their $31.28 million in cap space to strengthen the offensive line.
Pittsburgh has a strong rushing attack led by Najee Harris, who made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season. The run game would take pressure off Love.
The Steelers are starting over. Maybe they build their future around Love at QB.
Houston Texans
The Texans were one of the worst teams in the league this season, but part of that was due to their quarterback play. As they rebuild their roster, trading for Love could make sense.
While Houston only has $17.96 million in cap space currently, there are a number of ways to create room without pushing money into future years.
One such way could be to trade wide receiver Brandin Cooks. If the Packers were to trade Love, it almost certainly means Rodgers has returned on a new deal. In that scenario, trading for Cooks would help the Packers’ offense, and they could give him a new contract to lower his 2022 cap hit.
The Texans need to start somewhere. Trading for a young, talented QB would help them continue their rebuild.