While Sean Payton and Tom Brady have been connected as a potential head coach-quarterback pairing once this offseason is complete, don’t forget about Aaron Rodgers.
At 45 years old going on 46, Tom Brady doesn’t have a lot of time left in the NFL, so he wants to make the most of it. Brady knows he’s at an age where he can’t do so without a play-caller who understands the fundamentals of a TB12-led offense, as well as a coach he can trust with his own limitations. The 2022 Bucs pairing of Todd Bowles and Byron Leftwich did not work out well for Brady.
Aaron Rodgers is in a similar boat, but at a different age. Rodgers hinted heavily at retirement after the Packers last game, and Green Bay has his replacement waiting in Jordan Love. Rodgers, however, is just a year removed from back-to-back MVPs. Should he wish, No. 12 could take his talents elsewhere for a new challenge prior to retirement, and likely get complete control over the offense and some front office knowhow.
Pairing Rodgers with Payton for a multi-year commitment may make more sense than Brady, who took a significant step back this year with Tampa Bay. But where could it happen?
NFL rumors: Raiders should pair Aaron Rodgers with Sean Payton
The Las Vegas Raiders haven’t moved on from Josh McDaniels yet, but if there were real momentum for a Rodgers-Payton pairing there, Mark Davis would at least have to think about it. The Raiders are not averse to making extreme organizational changes, especially considering Davis is reportedly fed up with the lack of silver and black in Allegiant Stadium on a weekly basis.
Rodgers former top wide receiver, Davante Adams, is the Raiders top target. Even with a lousy Derek Carr at the helm, Adams put up another career season. Rodgers would have to sway Davis and the Raiders front office to hire Sean Payton, rather than stick to McDaniels, for such a deal to happen in the first place. It’s a longshot, but any chance at Super Bowl glory is rare for a franchise like the Raiders these days.
To acquire Rodgers, Vegas would trade Carr and some draft capital to Green Bay. Payton would also cost at least a future first, per reports of the Saints demands. It’s an expensive proposition, but such is life in the NFL.
Would they really pass that up?