Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger recently weighed in on the potential of Aaron Rodgers being traded to an NFC rival. Offseason workout activities started Monday for the new season with Rodgers as a member of the Green Bay Packers. Trade talks between the New York Jets and Packers over compensation for Rodgers have not yielded fruitful results with a week to go until the 2023 NFL Draft.
A few analysts have linked Rodgers to the San Francisco 49ers as a possible trade destination for the Packers should they not reach an acceptable agreement with the Jets. Word of Rodgers wanting to play with the 49ers was a rumor long before the quarterback said he intended to play for the Jets this year. Now two new major storylines could factor into the 49ers going after Rodgers.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who the team’s brass wants to see start next season, said he’s unsure if he can play during the 2023 season. He’s recovering from the surgery he underwent to repair a torn UCL. With one quarterback out, former first-round pick Trey Lance is expected to be the starter. However, NFL insider Charles Robinson said the 49ers would be open to trading Lance this offseason and for a second-round pick.
Ben Roethlisberger thinks Rodgers could be the 49ers’ quarterback
With questions at quarterback for the 49ers, and the Jets reportedly spooked on trading for Rodgers, Roethlisberger said Rodgers could play in San Francisco this year. According to David Bonilla with 49ers Webzone, Roethlisberger said their offense would fit Rodgers’ needs:
“I know he’s been mentioned with them before,” Roethlisberger said on the recent podcast. “I could see it happening. They’ve got a great team, great defense, got a lot of weapons. He likes the boots under center, getting out, moving. He’d be great in that offense, obviously.”
This could give the Packers a potential trade option besides the Jets to help with leverage in their trade talks. One would have to wonder if the Packers would be interested in trading Rodgers for Lance. The Packers would get a solid backup or replacement option for Love.
