Well, we're waiting! NFL world awaits Aaron Rodgers' big decision
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Well, we're waiting!
The NFL's free-agency "legal tampering period" opened last Monday. Yet, here we are, a week later still pondering Aaron Rodgers' pro football future.
Even the Bengals managed to get things squared away with wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins!
Will Rodgers swap New York teams and play for the Giants?
Might Rodgers decide that throwing footballs to DK Metcalf and George Pickens in Pittsburgh sounds like fun?
Could Rodgers continue on the same Packers ➡️ Jets ➡️ Vikings career path as experienced by his Green Bay predecessor, Brett Favre?
All three seem like logical landing spots for the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
However, is it possible that the 41-year-old is cooked? His Jets tenure was (how do we say this nicely?) less than ideal, with Rodgers' former team opting to release him, absorb a whopping $49 million dead-cap hit and sign Justin Fields rather than keep the veteran around for likely another tumultuous season. Let him be some other team's problem seems to be Gang Green's mindset.
We know Rodgers likes the attention, so this could continue to drag out (though, would be willing to bet what's left of the 401k that Rodgers announces his intentions on Pat McAfee's show).
📷: NFL players on the move in 2025
NFL free agency analysis
➤ Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins got paid💰: The Bengals did Joe Burrow a solid, keeping their two talented wide receivers in the fold for the foreseeable future.
➤ Top 15 remaining free agents: Aaron Rodgers isn't the only big name available. Russell Wilson, Amari Cooper and Asante Samuel Jr. are among the notables still looking for their next destinations.
➤ 10 teams that addressed massive roster needs: Some teams did a great job of addressing roster holes with quick-fix, instant upgrades.
➤ 5 teams with big holes yet to fill: While the Packers and Patriots still need help at wide receiver, the Commanders could use an edge rusher.
➤ Is the 49ers' Super Bowl window closed? Chris Bumbaca wonders if it is time to erect a "Here lies the San Francisco 49ers Super-Bowl window, 2019-2024" tombstone.
➤ Is this the worst QB situation in the NFL? Daniel Jones signed with the Colts. If the quarterback already in Indy – Anthony Richardson – cannot beat out Jones, then Richardson does not deserve to be in the NFL, Mike Freeman writes.
NFL offseason dates to know
Pro days are going on in preparation for the league's next big event.
April 24-26 — The 90th NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting, a.k.a. the draft, will be held at and around legendary Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 🧀
May 2 — Rookie minicamps open, as on-field preparations for the 2025 NFL season begin 🏈.
NFL classics: Straight from the YouTube algorithm 🏈🎞️
This is where we reprise some NFL lore and recall classic, memorable moments from yesteryear.
March 17, St. Patrick's Day, also marks the birthday of Slingin' Sammy Baugh, one of the early icons of pro football.
Born on this day in 1914, Baugh passed away in December 2008 at the age of 94. And, despite playing his last NFL down in 1952, Baugh continues to be considered one of the all-time greats. Baugh was selected to both the 75th anniversary and 100th anniversary all-time teams. When the NFL named the 100 greatest players in league history in 2010, Baugh checked in at No. 14, one spot ahead of Deacon Jones and a spot behind "Mean" Joe Greene.
Baugh was one of the first great quarterbacks in the NFL. But, he played in an era when players took the field on both offense and defense. Baugh excelled not just as a quarterback, but also as a defensive back and punter. In 1943, Baugh led the NFL in pass completions, had the highest yards-per-punt average and also recorded a league-high 11 interceptions on defense.
When Washington made Baugh a first-round pick in the 1937 draft out of TCU, Baugh had little knowledge about the then-fledgling NFL.
"Didn't know one thing about (the NFL). I didn't know how many damn teams they had in pro football. We never heard anything about pro football in those days," Baugh said.
If you enjoy reading 4th and Monday 📰, encourage your football fan friends to subscribe 📱. Follow the generally gumptious writer of this newsletter on social media @jimreineking.