Most of NFL free agency is pretty much over. It has been for over a week now.
A few veteran receivers are still figuring out their next team, and there are some other veterans who could still help, but the top free agents have mostly signed. Teams have made their moves, and most of the league is focused on preparing for the draft.
Then there’s Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers is taking his time to make a decision, which is becoming more interesting or frustrating, depending on how you see it, because he doesn’t have many options left.
However, there are still teams and players who need to know what Rodgers decides before making their own moves. But so far, there hasn’t been much hint about what he’ll do. Whether people like it or not, teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have much choice but to wait.
Rodgers’ options
Two weeks after the NFL’s legal tampering period began, when teams made a lot of moves, Rodgers is left with very few realistic choices. But the possibility of retirement still keeps people interested.
There was a lot of talk about Rodgers following the same path as Brett Favre, moving from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets and then to the Minnesota Vikings, but the Vikings have ruled that out. They’re going with their 2024 first-round draft pick, J.J. McCarthy.
Teams like the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans have questions at quarterback, but those could be solved in the draft. There’s no sign that the Titans are looking to sign a veteran starter, which suggests they plan to take Cam Ward with the first overall pick.
The Browns need to fix their quarterback situation, but there’s been little talk about Rodgers possibly going there, especially with the second pick in the draft.
Aaron Rodgers (NFL)Unless a surprise team joins the race, Rodgers’ options seem to be the Steelers, New York Giants, or retirement.
The Steelers remain the most obvious option for Rodgers, as they have been since free agency began. Pittsburgh doesn’t have a strong backup plan, and for Rodgers, it’s clearly his best chance to join a team that can reach the playoffs. The two sides had a long meeting last Friday.
But, as usual with Rodgers, the NFL world continues to wait.
Rodgers needs to make this decision carefully since it’s likely the final stage of what has been an incredible NFL career. However, there doesn’t seem to be much left to think about. The Steelers offer him the best chance to get back to the playoffs, the Giants give him a chance to start and stay in New York, and retirement is always a possibility for any 41-year-old quarterback.
It’s not just the Steelers and Giants waiting. Russell Wilson is still undecided, maybe because the Steelers might bring him in if Rodgers doesn’t choose them. If Rodgers picks the Steelers, the Giants and Browns might consider Wilson again.
The Atlanta Falcons still have Kirk Cousins, and Rodgers’ decision could push a team to ask Atlanta about trading for Cousins. Other veterans, like Carson Wentz, are also in a holding pattern.
This isn’t the first time the NFL has waited on Rodgers to decide his future. While it can be frustrating and stressful for the teams involved, the timeline won’t change. We’ll learn his decision when he’s ready.
