If the Denver Broncos hire the right head coach, Aaron Rodgers could be heading their way.
While the process for this to happen will be very complicated, the Denver Broncos could end up with a motivated Aaron Rodgers if they hire the right head coach to replace Vic Fangio.
Denver has had a miserable time drafting quarterbacks. The most successful run post-John Elway came when the Broncos signed Peyton Manning in his high-profile free agency in 2012. A decade later, Denver faces arguably its most critical offseason since then. They have to get the head coach right. More importantly, the Broncos have to get better at quarterback. Maybe they can do both?
One candidate for the Broncos job is Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
Denver Broncos: How to get Aaron Rodgers to ultimately win the NFL offseason
This all hinges on if Rodgers is done playing ball in Green Bay after this season. If he wins back-to-back NFL MVPs and wins his second Super Bowl, he could ride off into the sunset Elway and Manning style, albeit as the most mysterious superstar quarterback of all time. Since he is still on the good side of 40, he could play a few more years for proud NFL franchise over in the Rockies.
The cool part in all this is no, it does not have to be Hackett or bust for Denver. If the Broncos view Hackett as their guy, then go hire him. But if it is done just in an attempt to appease Rodgers, then that is a losing effort, and the Broncos are better than that. Rodgers has thrived playing for two offensive-minded head coaches in Green Bay, so naturally, he would want that if he were to leave.
Other coaching candidates who could make sense for Denver include Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh and former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson. Harbaugh and Pederson are proven head coaches, while Bieniemy and Daboll are coordinators on the rise.
Ultimately, Rodgers is still under contract and may retire a Packer. However, Denver is one of the few franchises he would supposedly be interested in finishing his career with. While the Broncos have not been good in the last six years, it feels like they are one good offensive-minded head coach and a quarterback away from contention. The Rodgers/Hackett pairing in Denver is alluring.
This may only be wishful thinking for Broncos Country, but Denver has as good of a chance as anyone to end up with Rodgers if this is his last season in Green Bay.