The Aaron Rodgers waiting game continues as day three of NFL free agency rolls on, with teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants still pursuing the veteran quarterback. ESPN's Adam Schefter spoke about the intense speculation surrounding Rodgers’ future, saying, "I think the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans are just as curious as you and everybody else are; they don’t know who’s going to be throwing the football." The buzz has echoed loudly across the league, as fans and analysts alike wait to see where the four-time MVP will land.
Schefter noted on March 11, 2025, how the Steelers aimed high. While they had sought to secure quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Justin Fields earlier, both players opted for different opportunities. Stafford decided to stay with the Los Angeles Rams, and Fields chose to play with the Jets after signing a lucrative two-year deal worth $40 million. With both quarterback options slipping away, Pittsburgh has shifted its focus squarely to Rodgers. "Look, they were in on Matthew Stafford, he opted to return to Los Angeles. They were in on Justin Fields, he opted to go to the New York Jets. They are now in on Aaron Rodgers and everybody is waiting to see what he decides," Schefter reported.
The urgency surrounding Rodgers' decision is evident not just from his current position, but also through the history of quarterbacks the Steelers have dealt with. The 2024 season began with Fields under center, but following some injury woes, Russell Wilson stepped up after Week 7, achieving early success before the team ended the season with five consecutive losses. Currently, Wilson, who signed with Pittsburgh last year, could remain with the team if talks with Rodgers don’t yield the desired financial results, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Rodgers, now 41 years old, seeks to process his options carefully. He had come off a solid performance with the New York Jets, totaling 28 touchdowns against 11 interceptions over 17 games. Following the season, the Jets’ newly appointed coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey indicated they were changing direction at the quarterback position, leaving Rodgers to ponder his next steps.
While discussing Rodgers’ work ethic, Jets running back Isaiah Davis praised the quarterback's dedication, saying, "I just feel like he does it the right way. He's 20-plus years in the league and he's one of the hardest workers in the weight room." The sentiment echoes among former teammates who paint Rodgers as committed to excellence both on and off the field.
His skill set has kept him highly desirable; former Packers quarterback Brett Favre has also recently weighed in on the situation. On March 11, he urged Rodgers to join the Minnesota Vikings, citing their competitive roster. "By all means, sign with them. They got a really good football team. They’re loaded at pretty much every position. They made it to the playoffs last year," Favre remarked, adding, "If you get the opportunity, that's a good place to win. Of course, you gotta play the Packers then." Favre's recommendation positions Minnesota as a dark horse candidate alongside the Giants and Steelers.
Rodgers has had quite the career, boasting four NFL MVP awards, a Super Bowl ring, and over 62,952 passing yards with 503 touchdowns under his belt. Yet, as he stands on the precipice of what could be his final professional season, the stakes feel heightened. Football circles are buzzing over his possible impact on whichever team lands him.
Jason Cabinda, who formerly played for the Lions, believes Rodgers could catalyze something special wherever he goes. "I highly doubt he's going to want to end his career on the note he's ended it on. ... I see him going to Pittsburgh and really maybe having, not his best year, but a year in which we can be optimistic about this team," Cabinda said.
The complexity of Rodgers' situation paints him as both controversial and admired. Jets linebacker Quincy Williams reflected on the double-edged sword of Rodgers' public persona, appreciating his mentorship: "He actually encouraged me to start doing this type of stuff,” Williams noted, referring to Rodgers pushing him to explore new opportunities during the offseason.
Williams also mentioned how incredible it is to talk football with someone of Rodgers' caliber: "A Hall of Fame quarterback is asking me my perspective on football. Like, man, you done played against a lot of good linebackers. Why you asking my perspective?" Through all the noise outside, it’s clear his teammates recognize the value he brings to the locker room.
While fans eagerly await his decision, the increasingly anticipated moment when Rodgers will announce his next steps remains veiled with uncertainty. Whether with Pittsburgh, New York, or the surprise contender Minnesota, one thing is certain—if 2025 proves to be another chapter for Rodgers, football will take notice.