Insider offers update on trade price for Packers' Aaron Rodgers

There's yet another indication that the Green Bay Packers won't let quarterback Aaron Rodgers go at a discounted price if they trade him this offseason. 

In a mailbag shared on Thursday afternoon, Packers beat writer Matt Schneidman of The Athletic noted that Green Bay will want "at least two first-round picks and a third-round pick or two first-round picks and a player of significance" in return for Rodgers. 

"Rodgers had a 'down' year and is a short-term rental, but he’ll likely still give a team with enough around him a chance to contend for a championship," Schneidman explained. "(Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst) shouldn’t settle for anything less."

In a "Football Morning in America" column posted on Jan. 23, NBC Sports' Peter King said his "guess" is that the Packers "would want at least two first-round picks" for Rodgers. 

Per ESPN stats, Rodgers ended a "down" regular season 26th out of 31 eligible quarterbacks with a 39.3 total QBR. He was 11th with 3,695 passing yards and seventh with 26 touchdowns through the air, but only six players tossed more interceptions than the future Hall of Famer (12). 

Rodgers hasn't yet said he'll play for any team in 2023 and is first completing a four-day "darkness retreat" before he publicly reveals plans for next season. 

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson and Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah both offered recruitment pitches to Rodgers this week, but the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to tempt the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player with the thought of again throwing passes to All-Pro and former teammate Davante Adams.

It seems Tom Brady is serious about staying retired this time around, and the New York Giants reportedly won't let Daniel Jones hit the open market in March. If the Raiders' Derek Carr ends up with the New Orleans Saints, the Packers theoretically could increase their asking price for Rodgers due to who will and won't be available when the new league year opens.