Predicting the landing spots for some of the more popular quarterbacks in 2022 free agency isn’t an easy feat. Aaron Rodgers has become a king at sending conflicting messages that the media tries dissecting like a frog in biology class. And although this act has become commonplace with Rodgers, the press continues to trip over themselves.
I, for one, am excited about seeing everyone freak out about twice a month on Mondays before he schedules a meet with Pat McAfee on Tuesdays to discuss 12-day cleanses instead of his employment status. But will we see Rodgers, Russell Wilson, or Kirk Cousins moved before the start of the 2022 season?
Quarterback Landing Spot Predictions 2022: A sudden rise in the “assassin QB”
Before this season, I would have scoffed at the idea any of these three quarterbacks would be moved through trades. But after watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers go from an eight-win team to Super Bowl champions in a year with the acquisition of Tom Brady in free agency, it seemed more realistic. After the Rams traded the bus-driving Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford and also won a Super Bowl, it seems this trend could be here to stay.
If he wants to force his way out of Green Bay, Rodgers could be the next quarterback domino to fall into a beautiful environment. But the marriage in Seattle with Wilson has been reportedly sour over the past few years. With a new regime taking over in Minnesota, Cousins could be on the outs as well.
In a business where sourced material is king and rumors run wild, sometimes it’s fun to simply predict where we believe players will end up after the dust settles.
Aaron Rodgers to the couch?
The Packers will give Davante Adams the franchise tag. Randall Cobb’s deal runs through the 2022 season, but the Packers will almost certainly restructure him to create space. Rodgers is close with both players, so I can’t imagine he divorces them to be with someone else for a season or two at the most.
Even though the Packers will struggle to field a Super Bowl-caliber team next season due to cap restraints, Rodgers appears to covet loyalty. The question is, does that value go both ways, or does he require loyalty received but not given?
But saying he’ll be back is boring. Even if it’s the most likely outcome, it’s not fun. Now, I’d counter my argument to say football, at least on the field, is more fun with the two-time-reigning MVP playing.
This is also a man who spent a ton of time away from the game last offseason. Instead, he was galavanting around Hawaii with his former fiancé, Shailene Woodley. As entertaining as he is on the football field, a documentary chronicling ayahuasca trips could be equally entertaining.
Russell Wilson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Again, the most likely outcome here — and the one I would guess happens — is Wilson remains in Seattle for another season. But again, that’s no fun. And as we’re at the end of February and nothing is real right now, why not have a bit of a laugh?
Thinking about Wilson in Bruce Arians’ system behind that offensive line has me dreaming about Russ with a 13.9 aDOT (average depth of target) and Mike Evans catching 80 passes for 1,650 yards and 13 touchdowns. I can only dream of what the duo of Evans and Chris Godwin would combine for if they somehow, in this fantasy scenario, pulled both moves off.
Wilson has a full trade clause in his contract, which means he could pick and choose his destination. It’s not New York or LA, which would fit Ciara best, but Tampa Bay is only a four-hour drive to Miami (and only about an hour through the air). He would immediately make the Bucs one of the favorites to win the NFC next season. They’d sleepwalk to an NFC South championship.
Kirk Cousins to the Colts?
The Cousins move is the most interesting one of the group because it’s completely dependent on what happens with Rodgers. If Rodgers does indeed retire, the Vikings would be foolish to move from Cousins in 2022. They would almost surely be the favorites to win the NFC North.
If he doesn’t retire, the Vikings could move on and begin a retooling process with their new regime. Although they’ll get compensation for Cousins when he leaves in free agency, he’s worth much more as a trade asset. After all, the Eagles landed a first-rounder for a busted Carson Wentz.
The Colts could use a left tackle and another receiver to complement Michael Pittman Jr., but the team is ready to be a playoff contender with more consistent quarterback play. Leaving a division with Aaron Rodgers to go to the AFC South where Ryan Tannehill is the best QB would be a relief for Cousins.