Have you watched a veteran trying to outrun Father Time? I mean, sometime or the other in the league’s history, we have all witnessed it once, knowing how it ends. So, watching Aaron Rodgers trying to cook up a saga out of this off-season when it seemed to be the last thing on the bingo card is just weird.
It all started with Aaron Glenn‘s appointment. The Big Apple knew Glenn was the no-nonsense type. All those offseason antics that A-Rod threw in the 2024 season off-season with Robert Saleh at the helm, yeah, they were never going to work with Glenn. So, Gang Green parted ways with him after a disastrous 5-12 season, and now, the four-time MVP is once again the hottest free agent on the market.
But here’s the catch: NFL coaches aren’t just rolling out the red carpet for him. They have a very clear demand, and it’s one Rodgers has never truly embraced… At 41, you can hardly expect Rodgers to change.
Reports indicate three teams are in the mix: the Steelers, the Giants, and the Vikings. Each of them brings intrigue but also a major caveat: Rodgers will have to play by a different set of rules. He won’t just be handed the reins and told to “do his thing.” No, NFL coaches want commitment—full offseason attendance, leadership, and, most importantly, a willingness to be a part of something bigger than himself.
The expectation is that if Rodgers joins, he’s in—fully. No disappearing acts in the offseason. No treating OTAs like a voluntary book club. Greg Cosell recently put it bluntly: “If you sign Aaron Rodgers, you’ve got to sit down with him… he’s got to be in your offseason program. He’s got to be part of the team. He can’t just show up.”
“If you sign Aaron Rodgers you’ve got to sit down with him…he’s got to be in your offseason program. He’s got to be part of the team. He can’t just show up.”@GregCosell relays what NFL coaches have said to him regarding Rodgers. pic.twitter.com/a0a6MOXiax
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) March 13, 2025
Let’s start with Pittsburgh. On paper, even if it’s THE match. Mike Tomlin isn’t in the business of catering to egos. Then there’s the Giants. If there was ever a team desperate for a quarterback, it’s them. But after last season’s 3-14 finish, the Big Blue needs stability, and that’s not exactly Rodgers’ strong suit.
Now, Minnesota. This is where things get really spicy. The Vikings were supposed to be J.J. McCarthy’s team. They drafted him with the 10th pick in 2024, and while he lost his rookie season to injury, he’s still viewed as their future. But with Sam Darnold gone, the team is suddenly flirting with the idea of bringing in Rodgers.
The problem? If Rodgers signs, does he accept the possibility of being benched for McCarthy midseason? Would he take on the role of mentor, or would it be another drawn-out drama? A league executive summed it up best: “This isn’t Rodgers from 4, 5, 6 years ago. And there’s so much bullsh*t off the field. I just don’t get the risk.”
And that’s the crux of it. The Rodgers of old was worth the headaches, here you could be hedging your bets on a player heading into the pro football darkness.
Aaron Rodgers in two minds: Retire or Return?
Pat McAfee, one of the closest voices to Aaron Rodgers’ circle, put it bluntly: “He was on the beach. Seems like he was contemplating a lot of things.” And really, what else could he be doing? Wrapped in a black blanket, wired headphones in, staring at the waves—Rodgers looked like a man deep in thought.
Maybe he was revisiting old plays in his mind, or maybe he was just vibing to some classic rock. Either way, the NFL world is holding its breath. Does he still have the fire to return? Or is he ready to walk away from it all?
After the Jets cut ties with him on February 13, Rodgers officially became a free agent. Now, Rodgers is at a crossroads. “Do I wanna play still?“. And the answer isn’t as clear as it used to be.
If he does suit up again, where does he go? Pittsburgh? Stay in New York? Minnesota? The Steelers just locked in Mason Rudolph for two more years but would happily let Rodgers take the reins. The Giants, holding the No. 3 pick in the draft, could grab a young QB—but Rodgers changes the equation. Then there’s the wildcard: the Minnesota Vikings.
A Brett Favre sequel? Feels unlikely, but never say never in this league. Rodgers himself has kept things vague, saying he’ll play “if they want” him and if “they got a good team.” Translation? He’s not looking for a rebuild. He wants a contender.
McAfee and the rest of us can only speculate. “Could be like instrumental music, could be the sounds of the ocean while he’s next to the ocean because the ocean’s not giving him enough.” Classic McAfee. But in reality, Rodgers’ decision carries weight.
If he returns, he instantly shifts the power balance. If he retires, well, he has already rubber-stamped his legacy. But the time is ticking. Rodgers is set to host his annual 3×3 flag football tournament on March 15. However, we only want to hear what’s next on his agenda!
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