Could Packers trade for Julio Jones to get in good graces of Aaron Rodgers?

Aaron Rodgers wants the Packers to acquire more offensive weapons and a deal for Julio Jones could do wonders for Green Bay’s offense. 

The Packers need to make a grand gesture of reconciliation if they want to repair their relationship with Aaron Rodgers. Giving the future Hall of Fame quarterback a new weapon like Julio Jones could be the best way to get everyone in Green Bay back on the same page.

The biggest obstacle standing in the way of a deal between the Packers and Falcons is Jones’ $15.83 million salary for the 2021 season. Green Bay doesn’t have the salary cap space required to absorb Jones’ total contract, but they can make a trade work if Atlanta is willing to pay just over $5 million to complete the deal. They could also re-work the contract of Davante Adams to make the cap numbers work if necessary.

The obvious question is whether trading for Jones would be enough to satisfy Rodgers. The former Alabama wideout is heading into his age-32 season but he still played at an All-Pro level for the Falcons in 2020. It’s exciting to consider how productive he could be in Green Bay playing opposite Adams.

Even if Jones starts to experience some age-related regression in 2021, he would still be a significant upgrade over what Green Bay should expect to get from either Allen Lazard or Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the same position. Trading for Jones would be a win-now move for a Packers’ roster that should be doing everything possible to extend Rodgers’ window for Super Bowl contention.

Would Aaron Rodgers want to stay with the Packers if they traded for Julio Jones?

At the very least, trading for Jones would be interpreted by Rodgers as a step in the right direction by the Packers’ front office. Jones might represent the most realistically attainable option that Green Bay can acquire before the start of the regular season.

The Falcons primarily seem to be interested in draft compensation in exchange for their talented wide receiver. That’s a cost Green Bay should be willing to pay. Giving up draft picks also isn’t something that will bother Rodgers in the slightest at this stage in his career. Maybe Green Bay can unload Jordan Love in the deal too and give the Falcons a young quarterback to sit behind Matt Ryan, which they didn’t want to do in the draft with Kyle Pitts on the board.

It is still too early to know if the Packers will make a bold offer for Jones, but its’ something their front office should strongly consider. It’s time for them to mend their relationship with Rodgers. Swinging a big deal for Jones might be the team’s best shot to get Rodgers wanting to stay in Green Bay.