3 Packers replacements for Aaron Rodgers not named Jordan Love

By Mark Powell | Jan 10, 2023

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers #12 and Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers lead the team onto the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 27, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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C.J. Stroud, Ohio State Buckeyes. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

NFL rumors: Packers could trade up for a quarterback

The Chicago Bears will shop the No. 1 pick in the months leading up to April’s NFL Draft. While the Packers are unlikely to make a trade with their division rival for the right to draft Bryce Young, perhaps C.J. Stroud or Will Levis are in their price range.

Given the importance of the QB position, both Stroud and Levis could be top-10 picks by the time the NFL Draft rolls around. Stroud is the far more established, pro-ready passer at this point in their careers. If Love isn’t ready right now, it would be smart for Brian Gutekunst to consider a trade for a rookie who could take the field right away, rather than one in Levis who is more of a project like Jordan Love was.

Stroud was a captain at Ohio State, and nearly knocked off the best team in the country in the Georgia Bulldogs. The College Football Playoff champions were able to defeat Stroud’s squad by one point. UGA went on to defeat TCU 65-7 in the final, which says a lot about how well Stroud operated the Ohio State offense against Georgia’s elite defensive unit, which featured the likes of Jalen Carter, Kelee Ringo and more.

Trading up in this year’s draft will cost a lot of draft capital, and the Packers have other holes to fill. Stroud could very well be a franchise-altering selection, though.

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