“I don’t ever remember Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or anybody else … I don’t ever remember them ever saying anything publicly behind the podium the way that Aaron did last night.” Last season, when the Jets lost to the Bills 20-23 in Week 6, QB Aaron Rodgers did not hesitate to throw WR Mike Williams under the bus. His bluntly calling out Mike in front of the world drew criticism from all over the league, including from former NFL QB Boomer Esiason.
Boomer did not hesitate to cite Brady and Manning as examples of how a leader should be. Honestly, that’s one of the reasons people have always criticized Rodgers, that he would always blame his teammates for losses. And then ‘he would carry his bag of grievances to Pat McAfee every week.‘ That is the reason most teams who needed a veteran QB chose other options rather than signing Aaron Rodgers. Because honestly, nobody wants drama over Lombardi.
But the times are so desperate that some teams might be willing to give Rodgers a shot despite all the controversies that happened with the Jets during his tenure. And these three helpless teams are the Giants, the Steelers, and the Vikings. The Giants may be the most in need after the Steelers signed Mason Rudolph. Minnesota has their young QB JJ McCarthy.
So, these teams might keep their offers on Rodgers’ table. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport explains the biggest issue these franchises could face. The issue is that the teams will have to adjust their salary cap and keep it open as per Rodgers’ needs. Because there is no pressure on the QB to make a decision. “If you’re a team that wants Aaron Rodgers, you are going to make sure that there’s space, you’re going to make sure there’s room, you’re going to do everything you can to let him know, hey, whenever you make a decision, we got you, right?“
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: Two years ago, we all were still talking about Aaron Rodgers during NFL Draft week. Could history repeat itself? pic.twitter.com/Wg932uKNOv
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2025
Aaron Rodgers holds all the cards, like always, and there is no deadline for him. Now, the Steelers and Giants have this draft dilemma, whether to wait for Aaron or move forward with drafting a QB. The Vikings do not have this confusion as they already have their top 2024 draft pick waiting in the wings: JJ McCarthy. Rapoport thinks that Rodgers might drag his decision until the draft, just like he did before signing with the Jets.
Minnesota has yet another problem if they sign with Rodgers.
JJ McCarthy needs reps, not Aaron Rodgers’ shadow
“You always hear Jordan Love talk highly about him and what he meant to him and all that. Aaron loves mentoring these young boys. So that’s why I’m saying I think they should take a chance on him because I think JJ McCarthy will benefit from having Aaron Rodgers over there.” That’s what Aaron Rodgers’ former teammate James Jones had to say about the Vikings giving the ex-Packers QB a shot. But now his stance has changed.
Now the former Packers WR thinks that if Minnesota brings in Rodgers, it will limit McCarthy’s development. And of course, the Vikings would not like that. JJ is still yet to step on the NFL gridiron. The 22-year-old couldn’t play because of a torn meniscus. His season ended after the preseason opener against the Raiders. James Jones thinks that now is the time the Vikings should focus on McCarthy. “You have him in the building, develop him, get him with those receivers, get him with Aaron Jones, develop the young fella, and go out there and compete for a championship.“
And that if Rodgers were in the same room as JJ, he would affect his development as a QB. “If you bring in Aaron Rodgers, I believe it’s going to slow down the development of him, because the best development, I don’t care what nobody says, is playing.” Well, that’s what Jeremy Fowler of ESPN also said on The Dan Patrick Show – that the Vikings are less likely to go with Rodgers. Had they wanted a veteran, they might not have let go of Sam Darnold. Especially since Sam put up better stats than Rodgers last season. And with Minnesota developing their O-line, they may be putting their faith in JJ McCarthy for 2025.
What do you think, would that be the right call?
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