A year ago, UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen declared for the NFL Draft. He wound up drafted 10thoverall by the Arizona Cardinals. A season later and Arizona wants to start rebuilding all over again, only without Rosen. The Green Bay Packers need to make a move for the young prospect now and form him so he can replace the legendary Aaron Rodgers.
Green Bay Trading for Josh Rosen Would Make Sense
Green Bay Packers Backups
The Green Bay Packers quarterback situation is good, but not fantastic. Aaron Rodgers makes it look superb; however, the back-ups not so much. Having good depth at quarterback is essential, just ask the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles. As of writing this article, the Packers back-up quarterbacks are DeShone Kizer and Tim Boyle.
Kizer looked promising coming out of Notre Dame. He had the physical tools and statistics to show he could play, but it did not translate to the field in the NFL. It can, and should, largely be attributed to the lack of talent and despicable coaching he received while a member of the 2015 (1-15) and 2016 (0-16) Cleveland Browns.
Tim Boyle has yet even to see the field in the NFL. Boyle played three seasons with the University of Connecticut (2013-15) and then transferred to Eastern Kentucky where he played one final season (2017). At UCONN, Boyle threw one touchdown in three seasons. As a freshman, he finished with zero touchdowns and eight interceptions. His best year was his sophomore campaign when he threw one touchdown against three interceptions. He finished his UCONN career with one touchdown and 13 interceptions while completing 48 percent of his passes and attempting passes four yards out.
At the University of Eastern Kentucky, he improved mightily. He completed 61.5 percent of his passes with a stronger yard per attempts (6.5). He added 11 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
Josh Rosen
Josh Rosen would be a significant upgrade over both of these quarterbacks. Rosen had a stellar collegiate career at the University of California in Los Angeles and showed flashes of greatness in the NFL. Both of these things can’t be said about the Packers current backup quarterbacks.
Rosen and Rodgers know each other from before the draft as they are both using the same agency, Athletes First. Both have similar traits in that they are outspoken and driven and both are searching for more than just football with a cool California-attitude.
They both have amazing arm talent and can make every throw required to win in the National Football League. The only differences between Rodgers and Rosen lie in their athleticism, abilities to extend plays, and throwing on the move.
Josh Rosen had a prolific career at the University of California at Los Angeles. In three seasons with the Bruins (declared after his junior year), Rosen threw more than twice as many touchdowns as interceptions (59 to 26). He was not afraid of chunking it down the field as his yards per attempts improved. He hovered around 60 percent completion and his passing efficiency rating improved each year.
Unfortunately for Rosen and his Bruins, his stellar play did not always lead to wins. He finished his career with a record slightly better than .500 (17-13) with eight wins coming in his freshman season. Rosen only played six games as a sophomore due to an injury to his throwing shoulder.
Rosen seemed to have all of the tools that would allow him to succeed at the next level. However, it seems that his own franchise does not believe in him anymore.
Arizona Cardinals Don’t Believe in Josh Rosen
On Draft Night, the Cardinals selected Josh Rosen with the tenth overall pick. The selection made headlines for two reasons:
First is how most people believed Arizona won the draft after drafting the most NFL ready prospect without trading a single asset.
Second is when Rosen said, “nine mistakes were made ahead of me,” in an interview with NFL Network soon after the draft.
But then it was time to play. Baker Mayfield stole the show from all rookie quarterbacks. However, Josh Allen, Sam Darnold and Lamar Jackson each received rightful praise when their play demanded it, and criticism when it was warranted.
The only rookie quarterback to not receive praise was Rosen. Yet, Rosen played very well. He showed he could make every throw required to win in the NFL. The problem was not with Rosen, but rather the lack of an offensive line, which also hampered David Johnson.
The Trade
Aaron Rodgers is getting older and with no heir to the throne, the inevitable fall from grace will be rougher. Back in 2005, Ted Thompson and Mark Murphy faced a similar situation. Brett Favre was entering the twilight of his career, and they decided to draft a young quarterback that in due time could and would take over the reins. Bis repetita.
Rosen would not play right away and would sit behind Rodgers for two or three seasons. The young man would also drastically improve the quarterback room in Green Bay. He’s a promising payer, which would alert the competitive nature in Boyle and Kizer to play that much better in training camp and preseason to make the roster cuts.
The Packers could trade away either their first-round (30th overall) or second-round (44th overall) selections to make the trade happen. Having been active in free agency has given the Pack more freedom with the draft.
Although the defense improved mightily under Mike Pettine, new general manager Brian Gutekunst still signed three defensive free agents. Two outside linebackers and a safety will fill the most significant holes on the team before draft night.
This is shaping up to be a fantastic off-season, and trading for Josh Rosen would be the cherry on the cake. Gutekunst needs to sign his quarterback of the future, even if it makes some people angry or uncomfortable. Thompson did it with Brett Favre. Bill Walsh did it with Joe Montana (signed Steve Young). It’s time for the Packers to do the same.
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