Advanced data model projects Titans' Super Bowl chances with Aaron Rodgers
Seemingly every offseason over the last few years in the NFL, at least one team has been paired with an Aaron Rodgers saga. The cycle typically involves a premature postseason exit from his Green Bay Packers, followed by a cryptic post on social media, and before you can say ayahuasca, multiple reports of interested teams […]
Seemingly every offseason over the last few years in the NFL, at least one team has been paired with an Aaron Rodgers saga. The cycle typically involves a premature postseason exit from his Green Bay Packers, followed by a cryptic post on social media, and before you can say ayahuasca, multiple reports of interested teams will have emerged.
For the first time in Rodgers’ offseason theatrics, the Tennessee Titans have been mentioned as a possible destination if he elects to leave Green Bay. Pro Football Talk reports that the Titans would be one of three preferred options for the 38-year-old, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos.
While a trade to Tennessee is certainly a long shot, Sportsline’s Advanced Data models give some insight on just how much of an upgrade Rodgers would be over Titans QB Ryan Tannehill.
Tennessee sees a slight boost in projected wins, but Rodgers’ true impact begins to show when looking towards the postseason. With Rodgers, the Titans’ odds to win the AFC South jump 22 percentage points as the model gives Tennessee a 90.2% chance to make the playoffs.
With Tannehill at the helm, the Titans have not had much trouble in making it to the postseason. Since arriving in 2019, Tennessee has made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons including an appearance in the AFC Championship Game in 2019.
While the team’s growth under Tannehill cannot be questioned, the Titans have now lost three consecutive playoff games. After throwing three interceptions in Tennessee’s AFC Divisional Round loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Titans fans have wondered aloud if Tannehill is capable of taking the team to a Super Bowl.
When it comes to Rodgers, Sportsline gives the Titans a one in four shot at winning the AFC and a 13.3% chance of winning a Super Bowl. With Tannehill, the Titans’ Super Bowl chances drop 10 percentage points plummeting to just 3.1%.
Nobody is disputing the fact that Rodgers, who has now won back-to-back MVP awards, would be a significant upgrade over Tannehill. What gives Titans fans a cause for concern is the potential salary cap debacle General Manager Jon Robinson and his front office staff would be forced to endure if the team was successful in trading for Rodgers.
Despite being a salary cap nightmare, landing Rodgers would be without question, the biggest acquisition in franchise history. By most accounts, the Titans would go from being a Super Bowl contender to being the Super Bowl favorite.
Before everyone gets excited about the possibility, Rodgers is still “truly torn on where he wants to play in 2022,” per NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport.
If the football world has learned anything about Rodgers, it is that he lives for the drama. Whether he decides to remain with the Packers, or to spread his wings and fly off to somewhere else, he will likely wait up until the last second available to make his intentions known.
Featured image via Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
