Broncos general manager addresses Aaron Rodgers impact on coach hire

Denver Broncos general manager George Paton gave a suffice answer to the recent Aaron Rodgers rumors. Asked if the Packers quarterback played a factor in the recent hiring of Nathaniel Hackett as head coach, Paton uttered two words: “Absolutely not.”

Hackett spent the past three seasons in Green Bay with Rodgers as the Packers offensive coordinator. The pair made back-to-back appearances in the NFC Championship Game together in 2019 and 2020.

The new Broncos coach’s connection to the Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been a big point of discussion since his hiring. With Rodgers potentially on the way out as soon as next season, Denver has been tabbed as a potential destination. Adding credibility to the speculation, the quarterback has previously expressed interest in playing with the Broncos.

Although Rodgers could ultimately stay with the Packers, it would require him to rework his current contract. This would likely be done through an extension that involves a major pay cut in the 2022 season. Based on Green Bay’s salary cap situation, it is unable to pay Rodgers what he is owed for next year.

The veteran player has not indicated one way or another which direction he is leaning. Aside from working out a new deal with the Packers, his other options are demanding a trade or retiring.

Rodgers voiced his frustration with Green Bay management in 2020 when the organization selected quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of the draft. Tension between the two sides continued to grow throughout the 2021 offseason, but seems to have gotten better as of late.

Still, a lack of playoff success could be another impetus for Rodgers to move on. Despite many talented teams over the past decade, Green Bay has not reached a Super Bowl since 2010. The Packers earned the top seed in the playoffs this past season, but lost to San Francisco in the divisional round.

At 38, the quarterback has not showed any signs of slowing down with age. He won the MVP award in 2020 after throwing for 4,299 yards, 48 touchdowns and five interceptions. Whichever team he ends up on next year will be a contender based on his presence alone.