No, Colin, Aaron Rodgers to the Seahawks is unbelievably stupid

Talking heads gotta talk. I get it. But sometimes, they say something so incredibly stupid, we just have to respond. Aaron Rodgers to the Seahawks in 2023? Insane.

So here I am, minding my own business, catching up on the latest about the Seahawks, when I come across this gem from noted professional troll Colin Cowherd. Yes, I am well aware that he says outrageous things specifically to get views, to generate buzz. I do my best to ignore him and his ilk. At best he’s a fool; at worst, a fraud. That is exactly why I’m only going to summarize his latest gem of lunacy, rather than link to it.

I’m sorry, let me restate that; I’ll transcribe Cowherd’s latest ring pop of lunacy exactly as he belched it out. I assume that’s the orifice he used, as I saw his lips moving. When you learn what he said, you’ll understand why I’m not at all certain of which bodily function produced this dimestore diadem.

The last person the Seahawks need is Aaron Rodgers

Or should I say, Aawrong Rodgers? Let’s begin with the player that Cowherd says is such a great fit for the Seahawks, that it’s his “best take ever.” Is Rodgers a first-ballot Hall of Famer? Of course, he is. But Seattle wouldn’t be getting the player who threw for 459 touchdowns in 17 seasons. The Hawks would be signing the player who threw for 55,360 yards. They’d be getting a 40-year-old quarterback coming off his worst season – so far – in years. By some measurement, it’s his worst ever.

Through 11 games, Rodgers is at his lowest yards per catch and per game since he first won the starting job in 2008. His passer rating, 93.2, is the lowest since 2015. His QBR of 40.9 is more than11 points worse than his previous career low. It isn’t that he’s a bad quarterback now; it’s that he’s no longer a great quarterback. And the Seahawks already have a great quarterback named Geno Smith.

Smith has better statistics than Rodgers in completion percentage, both touchdown and interception rates, yards per attempt and yards per game, passer rating, and QBR. In many cases, it isn’t even close. Passer rating: 108.0 to 93.2; QBR is 67.7 to 40.9. Now you may argue that I’m taking Smith’s marvelous season as his true level of play. You’re right, I am. After 10 games, there is no reason to think Smith will see any serious regression to his days with the Jets.

He didn’t get as many opportunities as he should have with the Seahawks last year. I mean, we all know Russell Wilson wasn’t ready to come back against the Packers, and Geno was coming off a dissection of the Jaguars. Smith was 20-24 for 195 yards, two scoring passes, a rushing touchdown, and a passer rating of 128.3. Sounds like Geno of 2022, doesn’t it?

Now that being said, it’s going to take some cash to keep Eugene Cyril Smith III in Seattle after this season. As reported by Brandon Gustafson for mynorthwest.com, back in October, Brock Huard suggested the Hawks make Geno an offer of $30 million for two years with $20 million guaranteed. He said that presuming that Smith would maintain his level of play, and he’s certainly done that. Even if Seattle bumps the contract up to three years at $50 million with $30 guaranteed, he’d be a relative bargain at his current level of production.

Now, you know who isn’t a bargain, don’t you, 12s? That’s right, I mean Aarwrong. His contract situation is complex, much like Rodgers himself. I don’t mean complex as in thoughtful and introspective; more of a what the hell is wrong with this guy kind of thing. As for the Packers  over-complicated contract with their 39-year-old QB, the Seahawks would be on the hook for just over $59 million for 2023. His salary in 2024 is $49 million and in 2025 $20.9 million. Even if the Seahawks cut him after the 2023 season, it would cost $43.7 million against the 2024 cap.

So Colin Cowherd’s poster boy for publically calling out teammates and risking others’ health would be 40 years old, coming off arguably the worst season of his career, and cost Seattle at least twice what they’d pay the quarterback who is outperforming him by every measurable statistic. Let’s just ignore that the Hawks traded Wilson specifically to avoid this kind of cap nightmare.

Let’s also ignore that this team has rallied behind Geno Smith in virtually every game. The locker room is Geno’s in a way that it never belonged to Russ. Exactly how would the Seahawks react to the organization letting a man that they love walk away, only to take on a 40-year-old to lead this young team into the future? Yes Colin, oh exalted author of the best take of your life, you are crazy.