Where will Aaron Rodgers sign? Giants, Steelers, Vikings potential landing spots
Aaron Rodgers, in the NFL world, will now be a free man.
The New York Jets are set to officially release the four-time NFL MVP on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, ending a two-year experiment that went miserably for both sides. The plan in New York was originally for Rodgers to capture his second Super Bowl and stabilize the franchise before riding off into the sunset.
Instead, there was one torn Achilles, 18 games played, six wins and a bunch of what-ifs along the way.
Now Rodgers heads to free agency, as the 41-year-old hopes to end his career in style wearing a different NFL jersey. As for which jersey that will be, quite a few colors on the wheel remain a possibility.
Where will Aaron Rodgers sign?
Pittsburgh Steelers
The quarterback spot has been under construction in the Steel City since Ben Roethlisberger hung up the cleats. To this point, there is seemingly no end in sight. This is not the year to be in need of a quarterback. However, the long-term project might find itself a short-term fix if the team agrees to a deal with Rodgers.
Regarding a landing spot, the Steelers profile as the most likely, because of their ability to win in the immediate future. The Russell Wilson experiment didn't work and the Pittsburgh defense isn't getting any younger. Trading for DK Metcalf only signaled the team's desire to contend now, which means they need a quarterback capable of delivering that goal.
Whether Rodgers can be that guy is anyone's guess, but the ceiling feels much higher with him than the potential alternatives. The Steelers can hope that being another year removed from the Achilles injury does the trick, while Rodgers could position himself with a real chance to compete in 2025.
New York Giants
The Giants are in a funky spot. They were a terrible team in 2024 and appear to be far from contending anytime soon. Yet the team is also nearing a potential regime change if they fall flat again in 2025. It has created what promises to be a recipe for disaster.
Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen know they are likely fired if they don't find some more wins this season, leaving them nothing to lose. As a result, the duo can spend at will this offseason, knowing they won't be left to clean up the mess. They have done that thus far, shelling out $191.2 million in free agency, according to OverTheCap, the third-most of any team.
If Rodgers wants to compete, this is probably not the spot. However, the Giants can close the gap with money and familiarity. He wouldn't have to move to a new area but just to the other locker room at MetLife Stadium. Rodgers can continue living the life he's built over the last two years while pairing with the young star, Malik Nabers.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have discussed the idea of adding Rodgers, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini. Considering the presence of J.J. McCarthy on the roster, it does appear to be a long shot, but a possibility nonetheless.
Rodgers could follow in the footsteps of Brett Favre, which would also be his best chance at winning in 2025. The difference is that the 2009 Vikings didn't have a highly drafted quarterback waiting in the wings.
Minnesota has been lurking in the background and no one seems to know what they'll do at the quarterback spot. There was talk of the franchise tagging Sam Darnold, but that never happened. There was talk of them re-signing Darnold, but he went to Seattle. There was talk of them re-signing Daniel Jones, but he went to Indianapolis.
Conventional wisdom suggests the Vikings will roll with McCarthy and take their chances, but the noise of them exploring other options is too loud to ignore. Could Kevin O'Connell allow McCarthy to develop for another year behind the four-time league MVP, Rodgers? Anything is possible – at least until the ink dries.