History should tell Aaron Rodgers that the Broncos are a good fit
Apr 29, 2021, 3:32 PM
If Aaron Rodgers gets traded to the Broncos, it’ll feel like a Yogi Berra quote come to life. “It’s like déjà vu all over again.”
The Mile High City has seen this before. Just nine years ago, in fact, when Peyton Manning stunned the football world by picking Denver over Houston, Tennessee and every other suitor.
Back then, the 36-year-old quarterback was joining a team with sneaky potential. This time around, a 37-year-old signal caller would be the final piece to a “sleeping giant,” as described by the team’s general manager, George Paton.
The situations are eerily similar. Neither team was marquee at the time, but both had potential.
Back in 2012, the Broncos were coming off of an AFC West title and a playoff appearance. But they were only 8-8 and probably should’ve been 5-11; Tim Tebow’s magic, and a stout defense, kept them afloat.
But they had some weapons on offense. Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker were very good wideouts, Knowshon Moreno was a former first-round pick at running back, and the offensive line boasted the likes of Ryan Clady, Zane Beadles and Orlando Franklin. That had to be attractive to Manning, as it was an offense ready to explode.
Rodgers would find a similar situation in Denver now. Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy are a dynamic duo. Noah Fant is a promising young tight end. Melvin Gordon is a solid back. And the offensive line is solid, with Garett Bolles, Dalton Risner, Lloyd Cushenberry, Graham Glasgow and Ja’Wuan James.
The current Broncos also possess what most people consider the makings of a top-10 defense. Just like nine years ago, when a young Von Miller offered promise on that side of the ball, a quarterback coming to Denver would know that his offense wouldn’t have to put 30 points on the board in order to compete.
In fact, both situations featured defensive-minded coaches, guys who are more than willing to let the offense do whatever it wants. John Fox and Vic Fangio seem like the same guy, anxious to let their start QB do whatever he wants.
That’s why the reports that the Broncos are among the top contenders to acquire Rodgers makes sense. They have a solid roster, recently ranked No. 6 in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. They just need a quarterback to put it over the top.
That situation sounds all too familiar. The same thing existed nine years ago.
That time around, things worked out pretty well. Manning won four AFC West titles in four years, went to two Super Bowls, set multiple NFL passing records and one a Lombardi Trophy during his time in Denver.
Rodgers could do the same. It’d be like déjà vu all over again.
