Did you think Deshaun Watson’s trade rumors were wild?
Well, Aaron Rodgers, the likely NFL MVP in 2020, started even more speculative bed lamb on Sunday with cryptic remarks he made after the Green Bay Packers’ NFC championship loss.
Put the two together – which is exactly what Bill Barnwell of ESPN did on Wednesday – and you basically have the biggest possible powder keg of hypothetical industries.
In fact, Barnwell sprinkled San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo in the Packers’ back quarterback Jordan Love. and the New England Patriots for good measure.
Let’s be clear first: Barnwell believes the Houston Texans must do everything in their power to retain Watson. He estimates there too can be a 1 percent chance that the Packers will trade Rodgers.
So, in essence, we are dealing with one’s imagination in judging a trading idea that is about as fascinating, head-turning and far-fetched as it comes.
Let’s have fun.
Here is the suggestion that Barnwell contained in an ESPN.com column with 17 Watson trading ideas from least likely to most likely (yes, that was # 17):
Packers send: QB Aaron Rodgers (up to 49ers), 30th overall pick in 2021, QB Jordan Love (for Texans)
49ers send: 12th overall pick in 2021, 2022 first round (after Texans), 2022 second round (at Packers), QB Jimmy Garoppolo (at Patriots)
Texans send: QB Deshaun Watson (vs. Packers), 2022 Fourth Round (up to 49ers)
Patriots send: 142nd overall choice (up to 49ers)
Do you have it all?
Here is the end result, displayed in a different way, assuming we digest all the moving pieces correctly:
Packers obtained: Deshaun Watson, choice in the second round of 2022
49ers acquired: Aaron Rodgers, 142nd overall pick in 2021, 2022 fourth round
Texans acquired: Jordan Love, 12th overall pick in 2021, 30th overall pick in 2021, 2022 first pick in first round
Patriots acquired: Jimmy Garoppolo
See, we told you it was a crazy idea. But is it crazy enough to work?
The Packers certainly trade an NFL legend, but they get a franchise quarterback who is 12 years younger.
The 49ers will push their chips in the middle of the table, hoping Rodgers can keep their Super Bowl window open. And why not? Rodgers, 37, is still at the pinnacle of his powers, and San Francisco is poised to return in 2021 if everyone stays healthy.
The Texans land three firsts – perhaps the starting point in Watson trade talks? – as well as a potential QB replacement in Love.
And the Patriots, well, they need a quarterback after Cam Newton failed to replace Tom Brady in 2020. Garoppolo is perhaps the perfect fit, given his history with New England.
Everyone tells, who says ‘no’ in this case?
Probably the Packers and Texans, right? They would probably prefer to just work things out with Rodgers and Watson respectively.