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We know that the Infobots have a weekly quota to fulfill. But does it really count towards the quota if they report the same thing every week?
Last week, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter told the world that a trade in quarterback Aaron Rodgers would be a “real possibility.” This week, Schefter says a Rodgers trade “remains an option.”
Apparently this will be the constant report until a trade happens or doesn’t happen.
It’s hard to break much new ground with Rodgers, as most of the real news comes straight from the mouth of the ayahuasca drinker. He made it clear 12 days ago that he might want to play and that he might not want to play in Green Bay. That makes a trade (wait for it) a “real possibility.”
Five days ago, Rodgers complained about trade talks that sparked his own comments, indicating that none of it matters until he decides to play in 2023.
Rodgers has named the veterans whose presence in Green Bay is important to him. He has made it clear that he does not want to be part of a rebuild.
We know there’s value in playing the hits. But for the folks tasked with adding new tunes to the rotation, it’s odd to see them reporting the same thing over and over again. Especially if it’s just a repackaging of what Rodgers already said.
So why am I writing about this? Good question. I honestly do not know. Most importantly, I felt compelled to point out that reporting the same non-news stuff over and over again is more than a little ridiculous.
Yes, trading with Aaron Rodgers remains possible. We don’t need an insider telling us something that all outsiders know.
The real question is the timeline. When will Rodgers decide if he even wants to play in 2023? Then when will he know enough about whether the Packers will bring enough people back to entice him to stay? And if he decides not to stay, when will trade talks start?
As we have learned in past offseason cycles, a trade can be agreed at any time. Two years ago tomorrow, the Rams and Lions struck a deal that flipped Jared Goff (plus two first-round picks and one third-round pick) for Matthew Stafford.
In this case it will obviously take some time. Step one, Rodgers must choose to play. Step two, he has to decide if he’s going to play for the Packers. Step three, if he wants to play somewhere else, he has to figure out where — and deals have to be made between the Packers and the new team and Rodgers and the new team.
Timing becomes critical for the team Rodgers can join. If this team doesn’t get Rodgers, they need to move on to someone else before it’s too late. These wheels start turning well before the start of the new league year.
For example, the Raiders must have an unofficial deal for quarterback Derek Carr by Feb. 15 or they’re stuck with full $40.4 million guarantees for a man they no longer want. What if a team interested in Carr is also interested in Rodgers?
When this team makes a move for Carr, it closes a door on Rodgers. If that team waits, Carr could end up elsewhere before it’s known if Rodgers will be available.
So forget that a trade is possible. Rodgers and the Packers must find out from ASAFP if they will continue a relationship that dates back to 2005. The sooner they know, the sooner trade talks can begin—and the sooner trade talks can be completed.
With all the questions about a potential Aaron Rodgers trade that everyone knows are possible, the sooner these decisions are made, the better.