3 ways Denver Broncos could lure Aaron Rodgers in 2022

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A trade for pass rusher Za’Darius Smith could help lure Aaron Rodgers to the Denver Broncos.

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 16: Za’Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates defeating the Los Angeles Rams 32-18 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 16, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

No. 2 way to convince Aaron Rodgers to join Denver Broncos: Sign pass rusher Za’Darius Smith.

Green Bay Packers pass rusher Za’Darius Smith is expected to be cut due to his $27.66 million cap hit in 2022. Smith missed the entire 2021 season due to an injury.

The Denver Broncos need to sign Smith. He would be an instant impact player at an outside linebacker position that lacked effectiveness in 2021. The Broncos traded away Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams and acquired Stephen Weatherly.

They’ve got Malik Reed and Bradley Chubb, but none of these players I mentioned are at the level that Smith would be.

The Broncos have a very talented secondary, but it lacked some “oomph” in 2021. Adding a pass rusher such as Za’Darius Smith could help create more erratic throws by quarterbacks, leading to more interceptions by the secondary. It would be tremendous to see this, something we haven’t since the team’s last playoff season in which they won Super Bowl 50.

Smith turns 30 on the day of the 2022 season opener. Given his age and the fact that he missed 2021, I could see him being fairly affordable for the Denver Broncos.

Smith should be defensive free agent priority number one.

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