With the Rams allowing Matthew Stafford to speak with other teams, Los Angeles could have a quarterback void to fill this offseason.
Could Aaron Rodgers be the right alternative?
Former NFL quarterback Tim Hᴀsselbeck does not think Rodgers is crossing anyone’s mind as a top option if Stafford walks.
“Rodgers is a low-priority free agent,” Hᴀsselbeck said on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Tuesday morning.
“I can’t imagine that the Rams are sitting there saying, ‘Either one, yeah, we’re good with either one,’” Hᴀsselbeck added. “There’s no way that that’s the Rams’ posture.”
The two aging quarterbacks’ teams had much different successes this year.
In Stafford’s age-36 season, he started 16 games and posted a 10-6 record, tallying 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
As for the 41-year-old Rodgers, he started 17 games for the Jets and went a measly 5-12 with 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
While the individual stats don’t separate them by too much, the wins do.
It’s been reported that Stafford is seeking “more than $50 million,” but Los Angeles is not too fond of ponying up and giving the now-37-year-old what he demands.
The Giants, Browns, Raiders and Steelers have all reportedly contacted Stafford.
Stafford’s wants are not totally unreasonable considering the wealth of quarterbacks already at or around that number.
There are nine current quarterbacks making at least $50 million per year, and Jalen Hurts is the only one of the quarterbacks on that list to have won a Super Bowl like Stafford.
There are also notably a few declining quarterbacks, such as the Browns’ Deshaun Watson and Falcons’ Kirk Cousins, who are making around $45 million.
While Stafford likely wouldn’t get any sort of long-term deal, there are teams out there that would meet the one-time Super Bowl champion’s asking price if Los Angeles doesn’t.
But where do the Rams turn if they decide that Stafford’s price tag is too hefty?
“If it’s not Stafford, I guarantee you that they’re not trying to get older and slower at the position,” Hᴀsselbeck said.
Well, that might eliminate Rodgers from the running.
