Stunning rumor connects Broncos to Aaron Rodgers at worst possible time

Before you write this off, no, it's not an April Fool's joke...

I thought the same thing when I read it myself, because the idea of the Denver Broncos pursuing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is egregious roster malpractice.

Pro Football Talk is reporting that the Denver Broncos are a team to watch for Rodgers, whose situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers is currently in limbo. The timing of the report couldn't be worse, for a number of reasons, and it makes absolutely zero sense.

Denver Broncos connected to Aaron Rodgers with Bo Nix ahead of schedule in recovery

Let's first address the timing of this report, because the Broncos just publicly declared that Bo Nix is progressing exceptionally well in his recovery from an ankle injury suffered in the playoffs, and is actually ahead of schedule. That report came directly from team CEO Greg Penner:

“(His recovery is) really, really good. He’s attacked his recovery in the same way that he attacks preparing for games. He’s done a terrific job. He’s ahead of schedule, no concerns at all for [the offseason program] and going forward from there. We’re really pleased with his progress and the support from [Vice President of Player Health and Performance] Beau Lowery and everyone.”

- CEO Greg Penner (via Broncos PR)

The other reason the timing of this report is terrible is the day that it was published: April 1.

But Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk says that it's not a gag:

"It’s all very early. And it’s not an April Fool’s Day gag. The Broncos could be turning to Rodgers, at a time when the Steelers have assumed the position for the second straight offseason."

- Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk

And for what it's worth, this report was immediately refuted by Broncos media:

The Broncos have been focused entirely on continuity this offseason. Before the trade to acquire Jaylen Waddle from the Dolphins, they had an astounding 71 players on the 90-man roster who were with the team last year in some capacity. They re-signed 17 of their own 21 free agents.

Being so picky about bringing in anyone from the outside, can you imagine the short-sighted decision to forsake an entire era of Bo Nix for one year of Aaron Rodgers? The Broncos may have hoped to bring in Rodgers back in the 2022 offseason, but that ship has sailed. Any idea of bringing in Rodgers right now, especially to replace Bo Nix, would be an egregious mistake by everyone involved in building this team.

It would be something so ridiculous that Penner should step in and shut it down.

It's just hard to believe this report is even out there, and that whoever Florio heard it from led him to believe it wasn't a joke. The fact that the Broncos acted so quickly to shut it down tells you everything you need to know.