Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been the center of controversy this season, as uncertainty loomed over his future before he announced his desire to play for the New York Jets in 2023, publicly sharing his intentions on The Pat McAfee Show in March.
However, more than two weeks after his public statement, a deal has yet to materialize between the Packers and the Jets, raising questions as to where Rodgers will play in 2023 with the NFL Draft looming just one month away.
On Tuesday, FS1 talk show host Craig Carton made a bold statement, sharing that the 49ers are ready to pursue the star quarterback if a deal with the Jets falls through.
The 49ers are ready to pursue Aaron Rodgers if the Packers deal with the Jets falls through says @craigcartonlive 👀 pic.twitter.com/U4a9EEZsVS
— The Carton Show (@TheCartonShow) April 4, 2023
Carton believes that Rodgers would absolutely play for the 49ers, adding that the team currently doesn't have a quarterback, breaking down their current situation.
"Aaron Rodgers would absolutely want to play for this franchise: [the] San Francisco 49ers. They have Trey Lance, who's coming off a broken ankle, Brock Purdy, who's not going to be throwing till August or September, and they signed Sam Darnold. They do not have a quarterback right now. Maybe, Trey [Lance] becomes a stud. We don't know. Aaron Rodgers is from the area and has always said, 'I might want to go home one day'," Carton said.
Carton acknowledged Rodgers' public remarks dissuading any connection between him and the 49ers, but believes a deal can get done, adding that a package would likely center around San Francisco's 2024 first-round selection and a couple of third-round picks.
"Now, he famously also said,' I want to screw it to San Francisco for not drafting me'. Well, he's already done that, okay? So, here's the reality. San Francisco does not have a first-round draft pick in this draft. They gave them all away to get Trey Lance. They do, however, because of compensatory picks, have like five third-round picks. So, the conversation has been: multiple third-round picks in this draft, and a first-round pick in next draft," Carton said. "They become the team to beat."
The 49ers have a couple of younger quarterbacks on the roster in Trey Lance and Brock Purdy, but Carton believes Rodgers can be the prime mentor as he rounds out his NFL career.
"Who better to learn from for Brock Purdy than a guy like Aaron Rodgers?"
While Aaron Rodgers does certainly elevate the current floor for the 49ers at the quarterback situation, there are several complications for the team in regards to acquiring the star quarterback.
First, the 49ers have just around $3 million in cap space, having utilized the cap space that their young quarterbacks created with the signing of Javon Hargrave, which makes it tough for San Francisco to accumulate enough money to bring Aaron Rodgers on the books.
Second, it's unknown whether the Packers would trade Rodgers inside the NFC Conference, let alone to the 49ers, as reported targets for the quarterback's services have all originated from within the AFC, such as the Jets.
Third, the 49ers have publicly committed to their younger quarterbacks several times, and now have more clarity regarding Brock Purdy's injury, while also signing a third quarterback in Sam Darnold.