Maybe it’s karmic retribution for the unexpected wait he endured on draft day 20 years ago, but it seems the professional football world is in the early stages of another wacky Aaron Rodgers offseason.
The NFL’s last remaining quarterback to enter the league before Apple released the iPhone seems poised to again have fans glued to their smart devices to see where he lands. Well before the New York Jets finalized his release on Wednesday, rumors started flying, with Pittsburgh as a consensus top choice.
The man sought a Pirates ballcap, for crying out loud. However, that logic might be as specious as assuming that because the author of this piece owns a Montreal Expos hat, he’ll be playing left wing for the Canadiens next season.
Pittsburgh releasing Justin Fields — who, coincidentally, signed with the Jets — provides a more reasonable jumping-off point to reach the Rodgers-to-Steelers conclusion.
But with no definitive answer from Rodgers, and Pittsburgh with a quarterback spot to fill, Pitt alum and former Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley said on radio station 93.7 The Fan that Rodgers is “holding the entire Steelers organization hostage.”
It’s one man’s opinion, sure. But coming off his tumultuous lone campaign in New York, which began with a similar shroud of secrecy, Rodgers could already be starting another relationship off poorly.
Pittsburgh isn’t the only potential destination, of course.
Brett Favre, a man who knows about leaving organizations on bad terms, made an appearance on a political talk show Tuesday. Favre suggested the Minnesota Vikings sign Rodgers, with the reigning NFC North champions replacing Seattle-bound Sam Darnold.
Despite speculation they had a tense relationship in Green Bay — which both denied in more recent years — Rodgers has said he learned a lot from Packers quarterback successor Favre.
Evidently, that includes starring in tiresome offseason drama.
Favre’s own move from the Jets to the Vikings in 2009 dominated headlines for months, dragging into the summer. The media buzz around Favre that offseason included his appearance on the infamous HBO “Joe Buck Live” premiere, made notable for comedian Artie Lange’s obscenity-filled hijacking of the show.
Unfortunately, any ensuing Rodgers drama will not be nearly as entertaining. Instead, a reveal on Rodgers’ devoted airtime on “The Pat McAfee Show” seems more likely.
So while the question of where Rodgers will sign — if he doesn’t retire — looms over free agency, the more pertinent question might be if bringing him aboard is worth the circus.
Pittsburgh let walk Fields, a quarterback who just turned 26. Fields has played only four professional seasons, the first three in the notorious quarterback Bermuda Triangle of Chicago.
Fields comes with question marks, to be sure. But in an offseason when two of the biggest moves thus far involved successful reclamation projects in Darnold and newly christened Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, there’s tangible evidence patience can pay off with young playmakers.
Future Canton resident Rodgers enjoyed a bounce-back statistical season in 2024, throwing for 28 touchdowns and just under 3,900 yards after missing essentially the entire 2023 campaign. Rodgers showed he can still produce into his 40s, which is the only reason anyone is interested in this otherwise exhausting routine.
But Rodgers also threw for 11 interceptions after throwing 12 in 2022. He never threw more than eight in any of nine full seasons from 2011 through 2021.
What’s more, the Jets finished 5-12 — easily the worst record of any Rodgers-quarterbacked team since he took over for Favre in Green Bay in 2008. That might mean nothing; attributing win-loss records solely to quarterbacks is a practice as tedious as following Rodgers’ recent offseason routine.
But the Jets’ record might also be indicative of the 42-year-old Rodgers being closer to retirement than anyone is ready to admit. Anyone, that is, except maybe Rodgers himself.
If only he would tell us.
