Dropped by the New York Jets, 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers is again making the offseason about him. Teams such as the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers are interested, but Rodgers has not decided on his future, whether it’s with them or without football at all.
Rodgers has stayed mum this offseason about his preferences — even buddy Pat McAfee is uncertain — but on Wednesday, a photo of Rodgers emerged. The Daily Mail showed him walking on a Malibu beach barefooted, with a blanket draped over his shoulders, backwards hat on his head and headphones in his ears. He looked to be in deep contemplation as the QB-needy teams mentioned above grew more anxious.
“Everybody is waiting. Everyone’s frustrated. I’ll tell you that,” The Athletic’s NFL insider Dianna Russini told the Gojo and Golic show on Thursday. “I feel like the New York Giants are almost at a point right now where they’re just ignoring it and they’re just trying to find another plan in case this doesn’t work out.
“I think the Steelers don’t have as many options. I mean, they’re obviously going to find someone if Aaron Rodgers decides not to play for them, but they’re in a position where they’re just, they’re waiting and no one has had a lot of, you know, there’s not been a lot of communication with the player directly, despite the fact that contracts have been discussed, you know, the structures of them, the money.”
NJ Advance Media’s Darryl Slater wrote Thursday:
Between the Giants and Steelers, it’s clear Pittsburgh is better positioned to reach the postseason in 2025. Last season, as the Giants spiraled to 3-14, the Steelers went 10-7 and made the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.
(By the way, the Vikings — another legit contender — loom as a possibility for Rodgers, though he’d have to deal with the presence of J.J. McCarthy, last year’s No. 10 overall pick.)
Yet even with Rodgers pondering a seemingly obvious decision, here the NFL world is again, waiting on him — just like two years ago, when he finally decided he wanted to continue playing (and wanted the Packers to trade him to the Jets).
We all know how that dysfunctional debacle turned out. Still, Rodgers isn’t toast just yet. He has something left, as he showed last season, even though the Jets finished 5-12. So yeah, it makes sense why the Giants would want him, even as they prepare to draft a quarterback at No. 3 (or higher) on April 24.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
