Latest report all but rules out Commanders as Aaron Rodgers destination

The Washington Commanders‘ fan base has been staying awake nights brainstorming trade scenarios that would see one of Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson end up in Ashburn this offseason.

It goes without saying Rodgers, even with all his off-field drama, is the dream acquisition for Washington. As the reigning back-to-back MVP, he’s showed zero signs of slowing down and seemingly has 3-5 years of his prime left.

Football fans around the country (maybe even the world) have been waiting impatiently for Rodgers to make a decision on his future.

The 38-year-old made his weekly appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, but started off his segment disappointing the some 100,00 folks who were watching, saying the decision is still being chewed over.

Luckily for Rodgers and McAfee, ESPN’s Dianna Russini saved his monumental letdown by reporting Thursday that Rodgers will inform the Packers of his decision “soon” and multiple teams have submitted trade offers.

Are the Commanders even in the running for Aaron Rodgers?

The immediate reaction by Washington fans: Are the Commanders one of those teams? How many clubs are even in a position to trade for Rodgers from a draft capital standpoint, let alone absorb his contract? By process of elimination, Washington has to at least be in the mix, no?

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

On Friday, Russini appeared on The Kevin Sheehan Show and disclosed that the Commanders have not submitted an offer for Rodgers and Washington isn’t on the 10-time Pro Bowler’s list of preferred trade destinations.

In addition, Russini shared that Green Bay, which doesn’t even want to trade Rodgers to begin with, wouldn’t trade him within the conference. An QB-needy AFC team like the Broncos, Steelers and Titans (maybe the Colts?) would be the most likely landing spot for Rodgers should he request a trade out of Wisconsin.

It’s no secret that Rodgers would like to become the highest-paid player in the league. As the two-time defending MVP, he deserves that much, but we’re not so sure it’s ever been about the money with No. 12. He more so wants a full-blown commitment from the Packers and an input on personnel decisions.

The two sides made noticeable strides in that regard last offseason, and placating to more of Rodgers’ requests this time around (like retaining Davante Adams) could see him return to Green Bay instead of demanding a trade.

However, let’s not bury the lede. It’s got to be frustrating for fans to read that the Commanders don’t even have an offer on the table for Rodgers. It flies in the face of everything Ron Rivera has said about risking it all for a superstar.

Assuming the head coach wasn’t saving face, there has to be a reason he and the front office didn’t submit an offer.

Whether it has to do with Rodgers’ trade preferences or that the Packers don’t want anything to do with helping an NFC team morph into a contender, we find it hard to believe Rivera is out here twiddling his thumbs while other teams around the league are kicking the tires on the game’s best quarterback.

Bottom line? While it might be time to accept Rodgers isn’t coming to DC, don’t be quick to condemn Rivera. It was always viewed as a shot in the dark.