Throughout the 2025 offseason, Aaron Rodgers‘ future has loomed as a talking point. The future Hall of Famer remains unsigned one week before the draft, and nothing is imminent with respect to where (if at all) he will play in 2025. 
Rodgers has remained quiet since the end of last season, but on Thursday he made his latest appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. The 41-year-old touched on a number of subjects, including repeated references to the fact he has several ongoing commitments in his personal life. In large part as a result of that, no firm decision has been made with respect to signing with an interested team or hanging up his cleats.
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“I am trying to be open to everything and not specifically attached to anything when it comes to this decision,” Rodgers said (via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network). “I’m not holding anybody hostage… I’m just going through a lot in my personal life that has to take precedent at this point.”
Rodgers said his face-to-face meeting with new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey did not go as he envisioned. It was then that he learned of the team’s decision to move on, by means of a conversation which ended very quickly and which Rodgers added was lacking in respect. New York ultimately released him with a post-June 1 designation, but before that move officially took place he has been free to speak with potential employers.
On that note, Rodgers confirmed he has had conversations with the Giants, Vikings and Steelers about a potential deal. He noted a willingness to play for $10MM in 2025, adding he is not insistent on receiving a multi-year deal to continue his career. Considering the current market for quarterbacks, a one-year commitment in that price range would certainly be feasible for any number of suitors. Several dominoes have already fallen amongst signal-callers, however, and more vacancies will be filled during the draft. Despite what Rodgers termed positive conversations with the likes of Brian Daboll, Kevin O’Connell and Mike Tomlin, therefore, nothing is certain regarding an agreement being worked out.
The Giants have added Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and they could add a long-term option in the form of a rookie next week. The Vikings – reported last month to be Rodgers’ preferred landing spot – could stand to bring in a veteran as J.J. McCarthy insurance, but Minnesota has remained publicly comfortable with handing the reins to last year’s No. 10 pick. That leaves the Steelers as a logical landing spot, especially given owner Art Rooney II‘s comments about signs pointing in the direction of a deal.
Pittsburgh could stand to add under center, and Tomlin remains in contact with Rodgers (as the latter confirmed today). The team has not imposed a deadline for a decision, but with the draft approaching the Steelers’ Day 1 plans in particular could depend on which direction Rodgers leans. After making an offer early in free agency, Pittsburgh’s proposal is not believed to have shifted. To little surprise given his other comments, though, Rodgers said the draft will not alter his approach with respect to his playing future.
In other words, the Steelers could add a developmental option as early as the first round next week while still remaining open to a Rodgers signing. The four-time MVP added he is OK with teams moving forward with alternate plans under center, particularly as it pertains to bringing in a rookie. Presumably, a shrinking market for his services would have an impact on his willingness to suit up in 2025, though. To that end, CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala reported on a recent 93.7 The Fan appearance that Rodgers would rather retire than join a team which is not a Super Bowl contender.
Evaluating the candidacy of teams for a dee postseason run in 2025 will of course be easier after the draft takes place, but it does not appear as though any movement on the Rodgers front will be seen by that point. With retirement still on the table, the wait for further developments will continue.
Probably a smokescreen, think Rodgers has a deal. He refuted reports about him going to the vikings. He said his price is 10 million seems fair for a 4 time mvp.
this f’n guy runnin his mouth about respect.. STFU Rodgers! just retire and stop ruining your (already over) career (and the rest of the nfl while you’re at it).
you. don’t. deserve. a. thing!
He has no shot at a ring with any of the teams mentioned, doesn’t need the money and is a shoo in for the national football League haha of fame. Rodgers should retire, still playing at a high level, which he is, when he decides. In my opinion.
so much anger for a guy who throws a football for a living for… taking time to make a career decision? do you think this is something you maybe should bring up to a therapist?
The amount of pure, undying hatred for a guy who says that he’ll play for a bargain bin price, and has four MVPs, is insane to me.
How that “ruins” the NFL is suspect to me. If Rodgers, or any other surefire HoF quarterback, wants to play for you and you don’t have a for $10 million (or any bargain number) in 2025, and you don’t have a solid franchise starter, you take it.
Yeah I dont get it either, the guy simply said hes taking time to make his decision (and it is a big personal decision), and they lose their mind.
I dont know if its that they bought too much into media tabloids or if they just like kicking someone when their down, despite all of their accomplishments, or a bit of both.
This is his way to get out of spring drills with a new team.
Sh*t or get off the pot, grandpa
I was literally going to post the same thing. Except princess instead of grandpa
Retire already. Tired of this.
The Steelers are about his last shot. They should tell him they’re going in a different direction and force his hand. Let him retire. Sick of his whiny ass
Or better yet, just show him
Draft a QB in round 1 and tell him to have a nice retirement
There is nothing sadder than an athlete who doesn’t know when it’s time to go.
Hey Aaron, It’s time to go.
Yes, but are you still laughing about all of this?
Only if the Steelers sign him. Then I might rupture myself.
mike, i can think of many things far sadder but they aren’t fit for this board.
Not sure he would be any better than Dart this year.
Please retire so we don’t have to hear about you anymore this offseason. I have never seen or heard anyone whose ego is so large that he thinks he is so important that he can hold up the NFL offseason with his drama. Go away…please
Oh my god dude, just go away. Nobody cares any more
If people didn’t care they wouldn’t be posting on this.
Exactly. Everybody who whines and posts saying they don’t care, shows that they care. And because of all the clicks and attention, be it negative or otherwise, the stories keep on coming.
Yeah, but then how do people get to post smug “Im above it all” posts, while ironically doing exactly what you suggest.
(Im agreeing with you, and poking fun at those posters at the same time)
Aaron still wants to play – but deep down he knows that he will ruin his relationship with Tomlin if he goes to the Steelers. I feel like he would want to coach in the NFL – can’t do that if you burn down all your coaching relationships.
He doesn’t have the teaching mindset to be a coach. He would just get frustrated if the game didn’t come easily to him. Can you picture Aaron trying to develop a 4th rounder?
If aaron rodgers ever makes HC in the NFL you can send me your shirt and I will eat it. Absolutely no chance.
He’s going to wait until after the draft to see if there are any team still interested (desperate) enough to sign him as a starter. If not, he’s already given himself the cover to say he rode off into the sunset because of personal commitments.
The only teams that would sign him to start are sub .500 teams.
At $10 million, Aaron Rodgers should retire now. The last interesting destination was Minnesota (complete the Brett Favre trifecta, maybe win a division, longshot an other ring). It’s not worth playing for the money and the health and reputation risk on the table.
It’s retirement time, and I’m an Aaron Rodgers fan. If he wants he can stay in shape in case one of the top five team’s QB goes down for the 2025 during the playoff stretch.
I thought I remembered hearing “Farve Watch” from Rich Eisen on NFLN going into May his last couple seasons. This isn’t unprecedented.
Aaron Rodgers is a master of manipulation and misinformation. He’s a real Svengali.
Who?
Oh, thank goodness! I was getting worried. It’s been what, a week or so since there was a headline about Rodgers??
Dear Mr Rooney, please say no, donate the savings to charity, and bypass the week two, $20 million dollar injury.
Geez I hope he retires and just goes away. So tired of this guy…
I’d be ecstatic if he got an ambassadorship to Syria.
Nothing new here. A-Rod all about himself, no interest in being a teammate.
Thank Goofball McAfee for continually having Mr. Me on his show to ensure he stays in the headlines.
Goofball? No
Self-indulgent scumbag? Sure
I’m embarrassed to say this little prick is from Pittsburgh after his character assassination of a college coed. Repeating rumor is something you’d expect from a prepubescent, not someone who was a pro athlete and now has a huge forum
That this big mouth has a wife and daughter is ironic. What trash he is
And in that regard, his ego and Rodgers are stratospheric. No thanks
Goofball? No
Self-indulgent scumbag? Sure
I’m embarrassed to say this little _____ is from Pittsburgh after his character assassination of a college coed. Repeating rumor is something you’d expect from a prepubescent, not someone who was a pro athlete and now has a huge forum
That this big mouth has a wife and daughter is ironic. What trash he is
And in that regard, his ego and Rodgers are stratospheric. No thanks
The NFL office loves Aaron Rodgers because it causes us and the media to talk about the league and engagement farmers love it 2!
So many people are willing to play the victim.
Never any accountability. Never taking responsibility.
Its not just Rodgers – the victim card is a narcissism move. Its not new, but its gaining popularity for rich and powerful people.
Part of me hopes the Steelers get him so he can show who he is again. Part of me respects that team though, and doesn’t want them to debase themselves with him.
The fact is the last Jets regime kissed his behind bc they thought he could help. They let him get away with alot. The new regime tried to regain control and it hurt his feelings so he paints himself a victim.
“Lacking respect” he says. Why would they just treat him that way out of the blue? It certainly can’t be because he has been prickly and contentious for years, right? Bc Rodgers himself has been a pillar of respect lately? Gimme a break.
He also said that Glenn asked him if he wanted to play football.
Rodgers responded “Im interested”
He said he would play for 10 million (Im skeptical)
But here we are. A week from the draft and he is still talking about personal life and retirement.
So….does he really wanna play or does he just love attention?
I like your thoughts here, Bills, and as a lifelong Steelers fan going back to the Noll era, I can appreciate your view of the franchise
But this “is not your father’s Steelers,” to quote a local host
The ownership may be within the same family, but this Rooney is not Dan or even Art Sr of the 70’s and beyond
I have serious doubts that either would have suffer fools as the current Rooney has, or allow himself to be in that position
I doubt Noll and Donahoe, or Cowher and Colbert, would have allowed the QB position to degrade the way it has for the many years that it has here. In other words, the Steelers only have themselves to blame for being in this mess, groveling before this guy
After the interview yesterday, I’d hope that a smart GM would call a meeting and tell staff that it’s time to move on, that we’re drafting a QB, hiring a real QB coach, and going with Rudolph
But this franchise isn’t what it once was and I’m sure the groveling will continue
George..I think art 2 is Bob nutting’s step brother
He wants to be Brett so bad it’s not even funny
No. I don’t think so.
But your comment is funny!
the fact that him taking time to make a big career decision for himself is making people type angry novels on PFTR is interesting to say the least
You mean posting on a message board specifically created for sports opinions? On a player that many cant stand?
About which you also have an opinion and posted about too?
Strange behavior!
Clearly I’m criticizing the emotion thats fueling the unreasonableness of the opinions and not the fact that opinions are simply being posted. Well, its clear to me and just about everyone else. Im not surprised you’re having trouble with the reading comprehension phase of online discussion once again.
Im not quite sure why you participate sir, or what value you ever provide here.
Just reread the first sentence of my previous comment if you are so unsure. I’m not going to repeat myself just for you to pretend it’s undecipherable to soothe your insecurities in conversation.
Yeah, you really showed me!
(Mutes the idiot with no value)
Lol wtf
I dunno. I think the people who just don’t like Rodgers are tremendously outnumbered by people who just think either Steelers should put all of their focus on getting a franchise QB, like I do, or just don’t think the Steelers should be held hostage. Yeah, guess that’s me, too
I really don’t care about any player’s personal issues beyond how they help or detract from a team’s ability to win
That said, yeah, it’s a sports opinion board. Isn’t this the perfect place to go public with an opinion?
And thats a completely reasonable position to have. Im not saying everyone should be rallying to get the Steelers to sign the guy, though as a stop gap theres surely worse options, and options are very slim at the moment
That said, and like i said to the other guy, im not criticizing people for sharing their opinion. I am, however, criticizing what that opinion is, since I think it’s an unreasonable position to hold so much vitriol for a guy who simply plays football. Like there is serious anger and hatred for a guy who hasnt committed any crimes and someone theyve never met. Its not like hes Greg Hardy or something
Man, some of you are so triggered by Rodgers. Who gives a flying “whatever” he does unless it impacts your team?
That said, I wish he’d retire. He might have a little bit in the tank, but likely not enough to push a team over the top.
Then some of you can remove your EAP off speed dial.
It s perfectly acceptable to dislike players snd teams isn’t it?
It seems like you might also be triggered?
A couple things about this one is according to Bill Parcell’s when a player mentions retirement, he is about 70-30 he has already retired in his mind and at 42 Rodgers is a sitting duck in the pocket for a good defensive line. Rodgers is a one and done QB anymore, he is not going to get the Steelers the SB trophy.
The other is Pittsburgh this franchise has really screwed the pooch on QB’s, they have waited to replace Big Ben, his last 2 seasons was when this team should of been grooming a QB, not after drafting a reach in Pickett as the heir apparent to Big Ben. Now they are in a world of hurt having to depend on maybe signing a 42-year-old QB or drafting a QB in this draft either way they are in a boat that is sinking with nothing but a oar and try paddling to shore before the season and future sinks.
You’re absolutely right, but add in that they in fact did draft Roethlisberger’s heir apparent. And like the diva he was, he pouted and refused to mentor the kid
Instead of understanding that any franchise must prepare for life after their aging star QB retires, he took it personally
And I agree.
Rodgers might give them a couple more wins than Mason would. But to again kick the can down the road defies logic
Shadeur would be a good choice. Shough would be a good choice. Even Dart. I don’t get the logic of waiting another year when the QB pool beyond Manning is about the same
Rodgers and Tomlin should both take a sabbatical too… ANYWHERE AND STAY THERE
he’s basically waiting to see if McCarthy has another setback. He’s not playing for the Steelers. that would be a disaster since he doesn’t know the system and behaves like a baby when that shows up on the field.
Yawn
Just draft Jaxon Dart and get on with it
Please retire. You’re irrelevant and irritating. No one wants to watch you drag out your decision. Bye jerk off!!