What’s next for Aaron Rodgers?
It’s not yet clear whether the four-time NFL MVP wants to continue on with his playing career. What is certain, however, is that remaining with the New York Jets for another season is no longer an option, as the team informed him of its plans to move on, according to multiple reports on Sunday.
That likely leaves the mercurial signal-caller with a limited set of options as he comes off a rocky season in which he showed both his age, 41, and the effects of his 2023 torn Achilles. But with demand always outpacing supply when it comes to quarterback solutions on the open market, there still could be opportunities for Rodgers if he chooses to play another year.
Here are six of the top potential landing spots for Rodgers:
Pittsburgh Steelers
From Rodgers’ perspective, there’s probably no more ideal landing spot. The Steelers are the only playoff outfit from 2024 that appears willing to entertain an external option behind center after flaming out with a five-game losing streak to end the season. Working under Mike Tomlin, whom he has openly lauded, would provide him a sharp pivot from the absurdities that seemed unending for the Jets last season. Above all, it would be perhaps his best shot at redefining the end of his career by playing for a stable contender.
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But would Tomlin go for this? It’s unclear how much upside there would be for Pittsburgh given Rodgers’ uneven level of play last season, and the culture fit is certainly an unknown. And it could be difficult for Tomlin, Rodgers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to find common ground on just how the attack should function, with the quarterback having grown accustomed to getting his way in determining the shape of an offense. Tomlin seemed to underline a sense of urgency in making the right personnel choices this season after yet another postseason disappointment, and Pittsburgh would have to be comfortable that Rodgers is worth the gamble.
Tennessee Titans
Despite holding the No. 1 pick and enduring Will Levis’ 18 turnovers last season, the Titans don’t look to be locked into taking a quarterback to kick off Year 2 of coach Brian Callahan’s tenure. Maybe that’s driven by what’s perceived to be an underwhelming class at the position, with Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders the only two surefire first-rounders – and neither seeming to spark the kind of frenzy that their 2024 counterparts did. Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker emphasized that the team wouldn’t force a pick at the position, saying the organization ‘won’t pass on a generational talent at the top of the draft.’
Tennessee’s plan, however, should crystallize in free agency. If the team wants to look elsewhere with the top pick – or auction it off – it likely needs to sign an established option as an alternative to Levis. Rodgers could be the kind of discerning and savvy presence that Callahan might covet, though putting him behind a line that surrendered 52 sacks could be a dicey proposition. Yet he could help Tennessee become more competitive quickly within the fluid AFC South while staving off a long-term commitment for at least another year.
New York Giants
Coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen might be hard pressed to pin their livelihoods to turning things around with Rodgers. But the Giants might need a bridge quarterback in free agency, and Rodgers might be as good of an option as any if he can get on board with his role. The fit could be tough, but Rodgers could funnel targets to Malik Nabers while giving New York a legitimate shot of evaluating its offensive pieces while keeping its potential signal-caller selection at No. 3 out of a bad development trajectory.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Silver and Black are one of the few teams that would get a clear upgrade over their incumbent passers by signing Rodgers. Yet owner Mark Davis has made it clear he wants a quarterback to guide the Raiders for the foreseeable future, and Rodgers is little more than a short-term patch at this point in his career. Las Vegas also might have limited appeal to Rodgers, who likely didn’t get glowing reviews of the franchise from close friend Davante Adams and would be joining a team that has little in the way of offensive support outside of standout rookie tight end Brock Bowers. Better for Pete Carroll and Co. to fully turn the attack over to a first-year passer and ride things out.
Los Angeles Rams
This is merely a contingency plan for Los Angeles if contract talks with Matthew Stafford go off the rails amid uncertainty about where the 37-year-old stands. There are no suitable in-house options to take the reins, and the Rams would be taking a huge leap of faith by handing over the offense to whatever quarterback would be available in the latter half of the first round. Rodgers would no doubt love the fit, both in terms of landing back on the West Coast and playing for a ready-made winner. But it’s a far-fetched possibility that doesn’t truly warrant consideration unless there’s a significant blow-up within the organization.
New Orleans Saints
Playing for a coach five years his junior in Kellen Moore would surely make for an odd setup for Rodgers. So, too, would joining a franchise that seems prepared to reboot without entirely tearing things down. Playing in the NFC South would keep Rodgers within reach of the playoffs, but it would be reasonable for Moore to want to make his own mark on the organization without having to navigate the minefield of catering to the four-time MVP. Still, given the Saints’ track record of refusing to undergo a full overhaul while continually clawing toward a playoff berth, the possibility can’t be ruled out entirely. But dumping Derek Carr and eating a $50 million cap hit only to turn around and sign Rodgers would be a puzzling approach.