DROP THE MIKE

The reasons to pursue Aaron Rodgers far outweigh the reasons not to

Mar 8, 2022, 6:40 AM

I am obsessed with Aaron Rodgers

“He’s a drama queen.”

“He’s too selfish.”

“It will cost too much to get him.”

I DON’T CARE.

I am all in with Aaron Rodgers and I’m confused as to why so many Broncos fans aren’t. Yes, I still believe he’ll stay in Green Bay, but that doesn’t change the fact I’ll be bummed out if he stays put.

Why do I want him here in Denver so much? Well, give me some time to explain (this is why it’s a column, not a blog).

Let’s start with the fact that I remember the Peyton Manning era here fondly. Four years of relevance. Four years of national TV games. Four years (well almost) of high-octane offense. Four years of watching the Broncos’ culture change literally overnight. Two trips to the Super Bowl and one glorious title. I can easily see that happening again with Rodgers.

Plus, what’s the alternative? Unless Plan B is a trade for Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson, then no matter who the Broncos QB is next year, he will be the fourth best quarterback in the AFC West. That is depressing.

What puzzles me is the amount of negativity directed towards Rodgers as a Bronco. Let me try and debunk each one.

He’s a selfish drama queen. Sure, the four-time MVP, two-time reigning MVP who’s on just about every other commercial is hurting for attention. C’mon. He’s accomplished enough in his career that he doesn’t deserve to be lied to by the Packers and he should be allowed to have A voice, not THE voice when it comes to what the team is doing with personnel moves. He’s also naturally concerned that his guy, Davante Adams, gets taken care of. Everything I’ve read and heard about Rodgers and been told by people who have been around that Packers’ building say he’s the consummate teammate who guys will run though a brick wall for.

It will cost too much to get him. Draft capital? That’s your holdup? How is it that I’m told over and over and over again how important the QB position is and a few picks to get a guy that fixes my problem overnight is simply too much to give up? Whatever draft picks the Broncos lose will be made up by free agents that want to come to Denver. Also, George Paton is supposed to be this expert drafter, right? Didn’t he just cop an A grade from the scouting community? I’m trusting him to be able to do more with less.

It’s only a short-term solution. My first answer is SEE ABOVE: Peyton Manning. Secondly, yes, it would be nice to have a 15-year answer at the QB position. It would be nice to have our version of Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen or any QB who fits that bill. But, they are terribly hard to find. For every one Mahomes I can give you Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Dwayne Haskins, Daniel Jones and Jared Goff. If you think passing on three to four years of Rodgers because you want to take a flier on Malik Willis is the best strategy, then, all due respect, I think you’re loony.

Besides drafting a young QB in the hopes he’s THE NEXT BIG THING, I believe there’s something else in play. Watching young players spawns hope. It also brings along with it lower expectations and more patience. It’s been a chaotic, stressful, angry and discouraging last five years in Broncos Country. Drafting a Willis for example would immediately take the pressure off EVERYONE. There would be an understanding the kid couldn’t play right away or even if he did, it will take time to blossom. That’s okay to some Broncos fans; they’re not in a hurry. It’s fun to watch the development. It will be fun to watch Nathaniel Hackett coach him up. Besides, the real day of reckoning as to whether or not he’ll be our unicorn is a ways off. We can spend that time dreaming.

Most Broncos fans are also Avalanche fans and Nuggets fans. How much fun has it been to watch the slow, steady growth of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Nathan MacKinnon, Gabe Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar? There has been no real expectations placed on those teams until now with the Avs and probably next season with the Nuggets. But for fans, it’s been fun to watch these young studs grow up as OURS. Years of just enjoying the process without any real pressure and angst. Not a bad world to live in as a sports fan. I believe we’re seeing some of that here with the Broncos and the push to draft a young QB.

Someday, I might be on board with that. Not now. Not with Rodgers so within our grasp. Bring him to me. I’ll take him. Gladly, With no reservations.

***

Drop the Mike

Jared Bednar...

Mike Evans

Do back-to-back wins mean the Avs have escaped the doldrums?

An 8-2 loss to the Blues still stings, but wins over the Kraken and Ducks show that the Avalanche know how to respond to adversity

4 months ago

Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets...

Mike Evans

Championship swagger, a costly gamble and Nuggets nuggets

The Nuggets have come out of the gates looking like a team on a mission, Jamal Murray's injury is costly in more ways than one, and more

5 months ago

Russell Wilson...

Mike Evans

The Broncos can’t move forward with Russell Wilson after this season

When experts watch the Broncos game film, they come to the conclusion that Denver's quarterback isn't doing the things he needs to do

5 months ago

Caleb Williams Broncos QB...

Mike Evans

Explaining why the Broncos should go all in on tanking this season

While it might seem like a path for those with a loser's mentality, being bad now is the fastest way to be really good in the future

5 months ago

Artturi Lehkonen #62, Ryan Johansen #12, Jonathan Drouin #27 and Cale Makar #8...

Mike Evans

Hungry Avs ready to reclaim Cup after last season’s disappointment

After getting bounced in the first round a season ago, the Avalanche made some roster tweaks they hope will get them back to title form

6 months ago

Davante Adams, Denver...

Mike Evans

Broncos facing a must-win in season opener against the Raiders

In his debut as the Broncos head coach, Sean Payton knows the importance of getting off to a good start and building some momentum

7 months ago

The reasons to pursue Aaron Rodgers far outweigh the reasons not to