NFC exec links Packers' Aaron Rodgers with Colts amid Jets rumors

The New York Jets may have a battle on their hands if they're serious about trying to land Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason. 

For a piece published Tuesday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler explained that a "top NFC executive" asked to offer "bold takes" named the Indianapolis Colts as a potential landing spot for Rodgers. 

The Colts are likely searching for an upgrade over the likes of Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger and Nick Foles, and Fowler pointed out that Indianapolis is entering the offseason with $20.6 million in salary-cap space. While the Colts went 4-12-1 this past season, they also dealt with the circus that was team owner Jim Irsay naming Jeff Saturday interim head coach in November even though Saturday held no coaching experience at the pro or college levels at the time. 

"[Indianapolis general manager Chris] Ballard has to get one [a quarterback] and get it right," the executive told Fowler. "Maybe they just draft one and save the money, but Rodgers would be different than their other past stopgap options because he's more of a sure thing."

The Colts possess the No. 4 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft but likely will have to send more than that asset to Green Bay in a trade. NBC Sports' Peter King wrote for Monday's "Football Morning in America" column that his "guess" is that the Packers will want "at least two first-round picks" for the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player. 

Interestingly, NFL insider Benjamin Allbright reported last March that the Colts were among teams that called the Packers to check if Rodgers "hypothetically" could be available ahead of the 2022 draft. Rodgers ultimately signed an extension with the Packers but acknowledged during a Tuesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" he may have to re-work that agreement to play for any team next season. 

Per Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Rodgers is on track to earn $59.465 million guaranteed for 2023 via his contract. King and others have routinely linked the 39-year-old with the Jets as they look for someone to either replace or start ahead of Zach Wilson after Wilson flopped in multiple ways this season. 

Perhaps the Colts could outdo Gang Green if a bidding war for Rodgers' rights emerges after Super Bowl LVII next month.