Saints fans can only laugh at what Sean Payton might be planning to do for 2026

News broke on April 1 that Sean Payton was interested in bringing Aaron Rodgers to the Denver Broncos. New Orleans Saints fans may have thought this was an April Fool’s joke, but the report is genuine. 

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio wrote, "there’s talk of the Broncos possibly bringing Rodgers in for a visit." As far as team's in the quarterback market go, the Broncos have flown under the radar. It's likely because they don't need a long term answer.

Bo Nix fractured his ankle on the last drive of the Divisional Round. Denver wouldn't even need a one year rental. They simply need someone who could hold down the fort until Nix can return. Rodgers, at his age, technically fits the short term fix mold, but it's still an odd pairing. Nix is reportedly ahead of schedule, so this may end up being a moot point.

Pursuing Aaron Rodgers in 2026 reeks of desperation 

Bo Nix’s injury has forced the Broncos into a tough spot, with really no good options. Their Super Bowl window is clearly wide open, so they can’t just take a season off. If Nix misses a certain amount of games and doesn’t hit the ground running, the season could quickly become a waste. You have to get another option at quarterback. 

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and going after Rodgers feels desperate. Truthfully, Payton may have missed his best backup plan when Kirk Cousins signed with the Raiders. 

Cousins looked good when he was pushed into the starting lineup last year. Signing with the Raiders also shows he knows his role. Las Vegas is going with Fernando Mendoza in the NFL Draft, so Cousins knows his starting days are numbered. 

Nothing about Rodgers says he would understand his role. Denver is Nix’s team. He should start when he gets back. Rodgers seems more likely to rejoin the Steelers where he knows he’ll start the whole season. 

Outside of mentality, Rodgers hasn’t been old self in some years. He could probably keep the team afloat, but the headache that comes with the pursuit of Rodgers doesn’t feel like something Payton would engage in if he didn’t have to. But like I said earlier, desperate times call for desperate measures.