Aaron Rodgers

Steelers, Giants In On Aaron Rodgers; Latest On Russell Wilson Market

March 10th, 2025 at 5:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

Seeing Justin Fields prefer to test his market rather than re-sign with the Steelers before free agency, Pittsburgh viewed it as necessary to enter talks with outside QB options. Although one target (Sam Darnold) is off the board, a much bigger name remains.

The Steelers are indeed in talks with Aaron Rodgers, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo. They might have a real chance to add the future first-ballot Hall of Famer. Although the Giants are believed to be eyeing Rodgers as their preferred bridge option, SNY’s Connor Hughes indicates some around the league expect Rodgers to end up in Pittsburgh.

The Giants are waiting to see if Rodgers is truly interested in staying in New York, Hughes adds. If Rodgers proves elusive for the Giants, Hughes adds they are still interested in Russell Wilson. Though, a handful of other teams are as well. While the Jets, Raiders and Seahawks checked the veteran QB box off their respective to-do lists, the Titans and Browns join the Giants and Steelers in pursuit of at least a bridge option. Cleveland’s Kenny Pickett acquisition may not represent the team’s true veteran option.

Tennessee is interested in Wilson as well, Hughes reports. The team was believed to be showing interest in Darnold before free agency, but a price ceiling — one that checked in south of where Seattle ended up going — came into play regarding that push. Wilson would profile as a stopgap for a Titans team that is not certain to exit Round 1 with a passer. Though, Tennessee would have the right of first refusal here due to holding the No. 1 pick.

As it stands, the Steelers do not appear interested in re-signing Wilson, per Dulac and Fittipaldo. The QB impressed at points but clashed with Arthur Smith during a season that ended with a five-game skid. The Steelers had been in talks with Wilson, but after so much noise came out about a Fields re-signing, the veteran may look elsewhere as well. Though, the Post-Gazette cautions Wilson could be back in play depending on where things settle. He does not look like the Steelers’ preferred option. It remains to be seen how serious the Steelers are about adding Rodgers. A few dominoes remain on the QB market as the legal tampering period rolls on.

Steelers To Discuss Deal With Aaron Rodgers

March 10th, 2025 at 9:33am CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers worked out a major addition to their offense by agreeing to a trade for D.K. Metcalf on Sunday. The team’s quarterback setup is still in question, but a number of options are being considered.

Pittsburgh remains in discussion with Justin Fields, but the team’s backup (for much of last season) is on track to test the market. The Jets loom as a strong suitor if Fields is to depart, and New York’s starter for the past two years could be an option to head to Pittsburgh. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Steelers are expected to discuss a deal with Aaron Rodgers.

The four-time MVP will officially become a free agent once his post-June 1 release is processed at the start of the new league year later this week. Rodgers is free to speak with interested teams at any time, though, and the Seahawks (having agreed to trade away Geno Smith) are on the list of potential suitors. How Pittsburgh proceeds with Fields will be key, but the team will need to pivot quickly if the 26-year-old heads elsewhere.

Sam Darnold is on the Steelers’ radar, and working out a deal with the NFL’s top pending free agent would of course preclude a Rodgers addition. Seattle is believed to be preparing a strong push for Darnold, though, and the Titans could also be in the mix. In the event Pittsburgh were to fall short on the Darnold front, Rodgers could be a short-term fallback option. The 41-year-old is not certain to play in 2025, but he appears to be leaning in that direction.

Pittsburgh used Fields for the first six weeks of the season, and he had support in the building to remain atop the depth chart even after Russell Wilson was healthy. Head coach Mike Tomlin elected to install the former Super Bowl winner and kept him in place the rest of the way, however. That move is among the factors Fields is weighing as he contemplates re-signing with the Steelers, whose preference would be to turn to him instead of Wilson for 2025.

Rodgers’ 2023 campaign was limited to four snaps due to an Achilles tear. He remained available for all of last season, delivering capable performances at times while dealing with a number of nagging ailments. As a whole, the Jets’ offense did not meet expectations and the team’s decision to move on comes as no surprise. If Rodgers is to join a third career team, the Steelers will be among those to watch.

Seahawks To Contact Aaron Rodgers

March 9th, 2025 at 11:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Closely linked to Sam Darnold after trading Geno Smith, the Seahawks are obviously not certain to land him. The Vikings are not expected to bring Darnold back, pointing to the QB having interest in a newfound suitor, but Seattle will still need to pay up to land a player we ranked No. 1 on our 2025 free agent list.

Darnold could certainly be labeled the Seahawks’ top target, as buzz about a potential Russell Wilson reunion has not built. But a more talented quarterback will be available soon. While Aaron Rodgers is 41, he is a four-time MVP who played decently last season. The Seahawks are not expected to pass through this free agency period without talking to the 20-year veteran, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports.

Rodgers has been connected to the Giants and Vikings, but a Seahawks landing would give the all-time QB talent a better chance at competing — in all likelihood — in 2025. The Seahawks are coming off a 10-7 season, seeing Smith’s 15 interceptions prove an impediment in Mike Macdonald’s first season. Klint Kubiak is now aboard as OC. He has not stopped through Green Bay or New York, but the second-generation coach does run an offense that resembles Matt LaFleur and Nathaniel Hackett‘s. Kubiak was on Hackett’s 2022 Broncos staff, though that might not be a ringing endorsement.

One connection could be more notable. Seahawks GM John Schneider was in Green Bay when the team drafted Rodgers in 2005. Schneider was also Packers director of football operations when they made the move to trade Brett Favre (after unretirement No. 1) in 2008. In his second year running the show (post-Pete Carroll), Schneider has now signed off on trading Smith and D.K. Metcalf. Seattle has plenty of work to do this offseason.

This connection aside, shifting from a 34-year-old quarterback to a 41-year-old passer who is not yet two years removed from Achilles surgery would be a fascinating plan for the Seahawks. Rodgers ranked 25th in QBR last season (four spots south of Smith) but did start 17 games after his Achilles rehab and finish with a 28-11 TD-INT ratio. Teams could certainly do worse, though much has changed about the baggage Rodgers brings since Scheneider’s time with the Packers.

Rodgers has not confirmed he is even playing in 2025, but all signs are pointing to it. The Jets are about to be tagged with $49MM in dead money, and offsets would make Rodgers’ 2025 landing comparable to where Wilson was in 2024. The Steelers had Wilson on the veteran minimum, as the Broncos were paying the rest. As the Jets prepare for the second-highest single-player dead money hit, they will be on the hook for the bulk of Rodgers’ 2025 money.

Steelers Expected To Make Offer To Sam Darnold; Latest On Jets’ Justin Fields Effort

March 9th, 2025 at 5:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

Sam Darnold-Seahawks connections came in hot after the Geno Smith trade, and Seattle may well reside as the 2024 Vikings starter’s most likely destination. But other teams will drive up the bidding.

The Titans have been closely tied to Darnold, as they are not considered likely (via TitanInsider.com’s Terry McCormick) to pursue a reclamation project like Daniel Jones or one of the failed 2021 first-round picks. But Tennessee may not be the only team that pursues Darnold. After being closely tied to Justin Fields throughout the winter, the Steelers are expected to see what it will take to land Darnold.

Pittsburgh is expected to make Darnold an offer, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweets. PFR’s No. 1 free agent, Darnold will almost definitely cost more than Fields. And the Steelers going from a veteran-minimum contract and a rookie-scale deal at QB to Darnold would be an amazing jump for a team that has not paid top-tier money at the position since the 2010s.

Fields, however, remains the focus for Pittsburgh, Russini adds. Jets interest in Fields has built since the Combine, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. The Steelers hold more than $63MM in cap space; the Jets check in at just more than $51MM.

Fields would bring scheme familiarity and a lower price tag, but the Jets have gained steam as a suitor. New York’s interest, as the team is not going to be a Darnold suitor for obvious reasons, may be heavy for Fields, with Russini adding the Jets are viewed as team showing “strong” interest. We heard over the weekend the Jets would be a top threat to the Steelers’ effort to re-sign Fields. That appears quite real. The Jets going from Rodgers to Fields would mark a passing downgrade, but the latter is only going into his age-26 season. He is two years younger than Darnold and clearly still has fans in NFL front offices and on coaching staffs.

The Steelers losing out on Fields could drive them to make a genuine push for Darnold, but they could also merely pivot to Russell Wilson, whose market should not rival Fields’ — the Steelers’ 2024 depth chart notwithstanding — or perhaps Aaron Rodgers. The polarizing veteran is unlikely to land in Pittsburgh, per the Pat McAfee Show‘s Mark Kaboly, but the veteran Steelers reporter indicates he could be an option.

The Falcons have not yet budged on Kirk Cousins, intending to (for now, at least) keep him as their backup. Cousins would be a Wilson-like option, as another team would be paying him, for 2025 should he be released. Wilson has spoken with the Steelers this offseason but has long hovered as plan B, and now that Smith has reunited with Pete Carroll, one other option is off the table. Thus far, we have not heard serious talk of a potential Seahawks-Wilson reunion.

Darnold’s price tag impacting the Steelers’ ability to build around him and Fields’ struggles as a passer do not place the Steelers in a great spot here. They do have a strong defense, one Rodgers could conceivably complement, as we suggested back in December. (Though, an upper-crust Jets defensive nucleus just went 5-12.) But the Steelers have not won a playoff game since 2016. That raises the stakes for them to identify the right player this offseason. If a Fields second season is not in the cards, paying more for Darnold appears on the radar.

Vikings Not Expected To Re-Sign Sam Darnold; Daniel Jones, Aaron Rodgers On Radar

March 8th, 2025 at 11:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Friday’s Raiders-Seahawks trade has shaken up the quarterback market. As Geno Smith‘s relocation moved the Seahawks into the group of teams needing a quarterback, Sam Darnold immediately became connected to Seattle. That has changed his status with the Vikings.

Although the Vikings came out of the franchise tag deadline with interest in retaining their 2024 starter at a lower rate, that no longer looks to be in play. In the wake of the Smith trade, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports the Vikings are not expected to re-sign Darnold. They are now focused on other options.

As J.J. McCarthy moves closer to the starting role, a Darnold defection will allow the Vikes to focus on a cheaper option. On that note, Daniel Jones remains in play to stay. Jones will not bring nearly the price tag Darnold will, but the Vikings might not be the only team that views the ex-Giant as a player who could conceivably traverse the Smith, Darnold and Baker Mayfield trajectory. A Colts-Jones link emerged earlier this week, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport confirms Indianapolis will be a factor for Jones as they search for a veteran to compete with Anthony Richardson.

In addition to Jones, a much bigger name lurks. As the Giants have been the team primarily linked to Aaron Rodgers, Rapoport adds the Vikings loom as a dark horse for the future Hall of Fame quarterback. Yes, Rodgers continuing to follow Brett Favre‘s late-2000s career path appears realistic. McCarthy is on track to practice in the spring, per Pelissero, but the Vikings remain expected to add a veteran as a stopgap — at the very least. Rodgers having options may dissuade him from a placeholder scenario like this, but it is not like the Giants would call it a day if they signed the 41-year-old QB.

Rodgers’ path to Minnesota would be slightly different than Favre’s, as the latter’s Packers successor spent two seasons with the Jets as opposed to one. A since-outlawed poison-pill provision stipulated the Jets would have needed to send the Packers three first-round picks had they traded Favre to the Vikings — the QB’s first choice back when Rodgers took over in Green Bay. After Favre retirement No. 2, the Jets merely cut Favre and watched as he joined the Vikings months later. He spent two years in Minnesota, with the first season going much better than the second. Rodgers is about to be cut, and Minnesota needs a veteran.

With no prospect on the Giants’ roster just yet, Rodgers could have a chance to be a full-season starter with the Big Apple’s NFC team. Though, the Giants have been closely tied to a trade-up for Cam Ward. Still, that is not a lock to take place. A veteran who joins Big Blue has a clearer path to keeping the job throughout 2025 compared to one who signs with the Vikings, who are close to beginning McCarthy’s time as a first-stringer. That will affect Minnesota’s QB approach.

The Vikings had elevated Jones from their practice squad late last season but did not dress him as Darnold’s backup in their wild-card game. Nick Mullens did so, but Jones — after six seasons of starter work with the Giants — would be in place to become McCarthy’s primary 2025 backup if he re-signs.

As Darnold’s market soared thanks to his bounce-back season in Kevin O’Connell‘s QB-friendly offense, Jones staying has always loomed as a possibility. With Darnold-Seahawks ties quickly emerging after the Raiders’ Smith acquisition, Jones being a much cheaper post-Darnold solution is not too difficult to envision. Will Jones be the Vikings’ preference to Rodgers?

Matthew Stafford Notes: Timeline, McVay, Giants, Garoppolo

March 1st, 2025 at 10:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

The top storyline at the Combine saw a resolution come about on Friday. Matthew Stafford reached agreement on a new deal with the Rams, ending the chance of a trade being worked out which would have sent him to a new team for the second time in his career.

The Raiders and Giants made strong pushes to acquire the 37-year-old before a summit with Los Angeles yielded a new agreement. Once the restructured pact is in place, Stafford will be assured of playing at least the 2025 campaign, his fifth with the Rams. Financial terms are not yet known, and that will likely be the case for the time being.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the new Stafford pact will be finalized over the coming weeks. A framework is clearly in place, and with financial clarity the Rams have already worked out a new deal with left tackle Alaric Jackson. Still, Rapoport notes the exact details – including Stafford’s compensation for 2025 and the cap structure of the contract – will likely not emerge until the start of the new league year later this month.

Here are some other notes related to yesterday’s major QB news:

It was learned shortly before the agreement was reached that Stafford and head coach Sean McVay had remained in communication through this process. To little surprise, the chance to remain with the Super Bowl winner was a key factor in a resolution being found. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes Stafford’s preference was to stay in Los Angeles and extend his partnership with McVay. The team went to the divisional round of the playoffs in 2024, and expectations will be high moving forward with continuity on the sidelines and under center.
The Raiders were seen as the likelier suitor to acquire Stafford when a trade was on the table, and parameters on a contract were reported to be in place. The Giants made a strong pursuit as well, though, and SNY’s Connor Hughes notes New York was prepared to swing a trade and commit to a contract worth more than $50MM per year (video link). The 16-year veteran has been connected to an asking price which would make him the oldest member of the group at that financial threshold. Taking the Giants’ interest one step further, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post confirms the team was willing to commit to a two-year pact including between $90MM and $100MM guaranteed. GM Joe Schoen will now look elsewhere on the veteran market.
In the event a trade had been made, Aaron Rodgers would have been a name to watch regarding replacement options for the Rams. Dianna Russini of The Athletic writes the 41-year-old would indeed have received consideration, adding the same would have been true of Jimmy Garoppolo (subscription required). The latter is a pending free agent after he took a one-year deal in 2024 to handle backup duties. He could be retained as a high-end QB2 option for next year; failing that, the Rams could turn to Stetson Bennett, who has yet to make a regular season NFL appearance.

Giants Looking At Aaron Rodgers, Other Veteran QBs

February 28th, 2025 at 11:05pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

After their failed pursuit of Matthew Stafford, the Giants are “shifting their interest” to Aaron Rodgers, per The Athletic’s Diana Russini.

Rodgers has been reaching out to teams since the Jets decided to release him, including multiple calls to the Giants, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. The Giants have been discussing the possibility of signing Rodgers “all week,” according to Russini.

Acquiring Rodgers would be considerably less expensive than trading for Stafford. The Giants were prepared to give up significant draft capital and give Stafford a contract exceeding $50MM per year, per SNY’s Connor Hughes. Rodgers, meanwhile, will be a free agent once the Jets formalize his release with a post-June 1 designation. He is unlikely to command a top-of-the-market salary and signing him would not require the Giants to part with any draft picks.

Rodgers is not the Giants’ “leading candidate,” according to FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacciano. The team is discussing other free agent quarterbacks, per Hughes, including Russell Wilson, Sam Darnold, and Justin Fields. The Giants had interest in Darnold last offseason, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, but he was too expensive at the time. His value has certainly risen in the last year, but so has the Giants’ need for a quarterback.

After playing for four different teams over the last five years, Darnold may be looking for a long-term situation if he hits free agency. That could clash with the Giants’ vision for the position. They would prefer to pair a veteran signing with a top rookie from this year’s draft, according to Hughes.

Rodgers might fit better into those plans. The team views the four-time MVP as a “viable option” for one season, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. The Giants could then use a first-round pick on a quarterback prospect who would sit behind Rodgers as a rookie before taking over in 2026.

That rookie would likely be either Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, who are generally considered the top two quarterbacks in the 2025 draft class. The Giants currently hold the No. 3 pick, but are exploring a trade with the Titans to acquire the first overall pick that they would then use on their preferred quarterback prospect.

Clearly, the Giants’ pursuit of a new quarterback remains fluid. Stafford was the first domino to fall, and other signings and trades will certainly impact the team’s plans. They will have to balance the financial investment of a free agent signing with the draft capital required to secure their top choice in April. The Falcons were criticized last year for signing Kirk Cousins to a massive contract in free agency and using the No. 8 pick on Michael Penix a month later. That has left Atlanta at an impasse with Cousins after moving to Penix during the season, something Schoen will likely consider as he navigates the quarterback market in free agency and the draft.

Assessing Where QB Market Stands

February 27th, 2025 at 10:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

This year’s veteran quarterback market consists of at least one Hall of Famer, possibly two. Although Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson are no longer in their primes, each is expected to play in 2025. Kirk Cousins is also lingering as a potential option.

Sam Darnold, however, headlines this free agent class — one that features four of the five QBs chosen in the 2021 first round. Only Justin Fields qualifies as a starter-level option from that quintet, as Mac Jones, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance will not garner attention on that level this year. Daniel Jones also hovers as an interesting option, despite his rough 2023 and ’24 showings.

The trade market, which technically includes Cousins, also has introduced a big name. The Rams continue to dangle Matthew Stafford. Even if this is merely to pinpoint his value as the sides haggle over a new contract, a handful of teams — chiefly the Raiders and Giants — have entered the fray for the former Super Bowl winner. Here is where these markets stand at the Combine:

Making sense of Stafford saga

It has now been five days since it became known the Rams were letting Matthew Stafford speak with other teams. Rather than seeking another reworking, Stafford is gunning for a new contract — and to become the oldest member of the $50MM-AAV club since Rodgers, who was there for a season. No one tied to a long-term deal averaging north of $50MM is older than 31; Stafford will play an age-37 season in 2025.

He is partially at fault for this value discrepancy. After all, Stafford had left money on the table during his initial Rams negotiations in an effort to help the team around him. That led to Stafford signing for four years and $160MM; that matched the Dak Prescott terms — though with less player-friendly language — at the time. It now sits 15th at the position..

The Browns and Steelers were loosely tied to Stafford, but the Giants and Raiders have stepped to the forefront. It would make more sense, were Stafford angling to jump to a roster that could form a contender, for him to consider the AFC North teams. But it is not known if they made serious pushes. As it stands, Giants and Raiders teams respectively coming off 3-14 and 4-13 seasons are in pursuit. The Giants have met with Stafford’s camp and asked about the QB before last year’s deadline, as their Jones plan was imploding. But the Silver and Black have done far more to indicate they are serious.

No matter how it happened, Stafford and new Raiders power broker Tom Brady met in Montana to discuss a potential fit. The Raiders have since come close on contract parameters, though it is not believed trade terms are worked out. Neither the Giants nor Raiders are open to meeting the Rams’ first-rounder asking price, as the teams hold Nos. 3 and 6. A high second-rounder headlining the package, or a potential future first, would make more sense.

Like the 49ers did with Brandon Aiyuk, the Rams still have the final say. They can opt to pay Stafford his modest roster bonus ($4MM) and work out a deal to ensure continuity for a team that has mounted stiff playoff challenges over the past two years. (As of now, however, L.A. is balking at a $50MM-per-year number.) Otherwise, the Rams risk falling backward without a quarterback plan.

Rodgers-Rams link emerges; who else makes sense for 20-year vet?

If the Rams truly go to the edge with Stafford, a report has emerged depicting Rodgers as an interested observer. Rodgers has been tied to wanting to join the Rams and to take Davante Adams with him once again. Adams was mentioned as a potential Rams target before Rodgers was thrown into the mix. It would be interesting to see the Rams try a formula that did not work for the Jets, but Rodgers — albeit at 41 — would be a capable option for far less than Stafford.

Our late-December poll about Rodgers fits did not place the Steelers as a realistic destination. Ditto the Browns. Both teams would benefit from a high-profile placeholder, though the four-time MVP’s current form may not be worth the baggage that also now comes with him.

While the Jets may not have issued an ultimatum regarding Rodgers’ Pat McAfee Show appearances, they are believed to have discussed the matter — as Gang Green’s new regime quickly decided to move on. A Jets team that lacks a surefire route to acquiring a more talented QB in 2025 announcing it would move on from Rodgers so soon is rather telling.

The Giants have not been tied to Rodgers, despite their Stafford pursuit and the team having no QBs contracted presently. If the Titans were to trade down from No. 1 overall, a veteran bridge would be logical as well. Thus far, however, Rodgers connections beyond the Rams have not surfaced.

Steelers to make internal call?

Thus far, the Steelers have been tied to a Wilson-or-Fields decision. The team has entered talks with both players, as the longstanding organizational policy prevents in-season negotiations. Early rumors pointed to Fields having a better chance to come back than Wilson, and the fifth-year veteran is interested in staying — should he receive a legitimate chance to start. Considering the raise the Steelers would need to authorize to either keep Fields off the open market or outbid other curious teams, it would stand to reason any arrangement in which Fields stays in Pittsburgh would come with a good chance to start.

Fields has long believed to have support in the Steelers’ building, dating back to when he closed the gap on Wilson — long positioned as the favorite for the job during the 2024 offseason — leading to a late Mike Tomlin decision. Although Fields did not show much improvement from his Bears form as a passer while filling in for Wilson, the Tomlin call to give the veteran the job back was not unanimous.

After Wilson struggled down the stretch (albeit with a limited receiving corps), suddenly he has not been as closely linked to the Steelers (though, he has repeatedly stated he wants to stay). Wilson, 36, would be competing with Rodgers (and perhaps Cousins) as a high-profile stopgap were the Steelers to work out something with Fields.

The Giants have been loosely tied to Wilson, whom they hosted on a short visit last year. That could be a team to monitor if this Steelers situation breaks Fields’ way, but a Pete Carroll reunion in Vegas — if Stafford and/or the Rams balk about a divorce — has been floated as a possibility.

Will Falcons really keep Cousins as backup?

Terry Fontenot has twice indicated the Falcons are fine keeping Cousins as a backup. He would be the most expensive backup in NFL history, being on a four-year deal worth $180MM. That contract came with $90MM at signing, covering Cousins’ 2025 salary. The Falcons would also owe him $10MM more, in the form of a 2026 roster bonus that vests a year out, if he is still on the roster on Day 5 of the 2025 league year.

The team paying Cousins that bonus would be interesting, but this situation does differ a bit from the Broncos’ decision to cut Wilson, as they the AFC West club was protecting itself against his 2025 base salary becoming guaranteed. The Falcons already have to eat a $27.5MM base, regardless of how they proceed with the 14th-year vet, but they would have a faint hope of trading the Cousins contract. That makes Atlanta’s route interesting, as Fontenot is now 0-for-4 in playoff berths or .500 seasons as a GM. Michael Penix Jr. emerging as a solid starter would minimize the damage from the Cousins miss, but time would seem to be running out on a struggling decision-maker.

The Browns have been linked to Cousins, who played under Kevin Stefanski for two seasons in Minnesota. Considering the Browns’ Deshaun Watson mess extends through 2026, Cousins on a vet-minimum deal — what he would almost certainly be tied to due were the Falcons to cut him, due to offset language in his current contract — would seem rather enticing for Cleveland. Cleveland also has a direct path to either Cameron Ward or Shedeur Sanders, however. Cousins may be leery of finding himself in the same situation as 2024, but after a down season, the soon-to-be 37-year-old’s options will be limited.

The Vikings’ decision

In a more commanding position with Darnold than they were with Cousins in 2024, the Vikings could send the best free agent option to the market or hang onto him as either high-priced J.J. McCarthy insurance (via the franchise tag) or a trade asset (in a tag-and-trade move). Either way, this is a much better spot for Minnesota compared to last year, when its starter left and stuck the team with a $28.5MM dead money bill.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has been cagey about his choice, but less than a week remains until the Vikings must decide on a tag. No tag by 3pm CT on March 4 would effectively send Darnold to free agency. This would be a better financial path for the rejuvenated passer, who played for $4.5MM in 2023 and $10MM in 2024. A host of QB-needy teams would pursue Darnold, ensuring plenty of guaranteed money will be available beyond Year 1. The Raiders were connected early, and other teams would be ready to enter the mix. Back in December, the Browns were mentioned as a party monitoring this situation

We have heard the Vikings being a bit leery of applying the tag, at more than $40MM, which could open the door to the team letting Darnold walk and huddling back up with Jones as a much cheaper McCarthy insurance option. Kevin O’Connell has spoken highly of Jones, who could be a Darnold-, Baker Mayfield– or Geno Smith-like rejuvenation candidate under the reigning Coach of the Year. Jones would be far less costly than Darnold. The six-year Giant would be a bridge candidate elsewhere, on a one-year deal, but he would naturally be interested in seeing how the Vikings handle the Darnold matter.

A rumor about McCarthy needing plenty of work included a GM predicting the Vikings tag Darnold to protect themselves; more Darnold tag rumors also surfaced before his struggles in Week 18 and in Round 1. Despite his late-season faceplant, the former No. 3 overall pick belatedly delivered on his USC hype under O’Connell. After Mayfield and Smith proved their resurgences were far from fluky, Darnold will be the unquestioned prize on this year’s market. The Vikings will, then, have the most important say in this year’s free agency.

Jets Talk Of Cutting Aaron Rodgers Preceded HC-GM Hires; Team Likely To Add Veteran QB

February 27th, 2025 at 7:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Aaron Glenn has done his best to distance himself from the previous regime’s Aaron Rodgers experiment, making it known he would not cater to the former MVP like the Joe Douglas–Robert Saleh duo did. Shortly after Glenn’s hire, the Jets announced Rodgers would be jettisoned.

This had been the expected course of action, though a report had circulated indicating the new Jets HC and Rodgers were potentially OK working together for another season. On that note, Bovada’s Josina Anderson notes internal talk about the team wanting to end the Rodgers partnership had started at least a week before the hires of Glenn and GM Darren Mougey. This comes after a host of reports of Johnson meddling and after the owner said he would leave the decision to Glenn and Mougey.

Such a push would point to ownership driving that point, and it would not be a surprise if Woody Johnson indeed made that clear. Reports of Johnson and Rodgers not getting along had surfaced months ago. They involved Nathaniel Hackett‘s position and bled into the 2024 season, when Johnson was believed to have called for Rodgers’ benching on multiple occasions. After a failed experiment, the Jets will be done with the declining (but still capable) veteran and moving into uncertain territory at quarterback.

As it became clear Glenn and Mougey would start fresh at quarterback, a report indicated the team discussed Rodgers’ appearances on the Pat McAfee Show. Those weekly segments generated regular headlines, some of which Jets brass had to address. In what turned out to be a Rodgers exit meeting, Mougey said (via ESPN’s Kimberley Martin) no ultimatum was issued to the polarizing quarterback regarding his off-field schedule. Rodgers also took heat for skipping Jets mandatory minicamp, forcing Saleh to declare it an unexcused absence, but Anderson adds Jets players largely did not care that he missed the June workouts. Nevertheless, Rodgers is gone after a 5-12 season. He is tentatively expected to play in 2025.

With Rodgers destined to become a post-June 1 cut — which means he be will off the roster on March 12, when the 2025 league year begins — the Jets still have Tyrod Taylor on the roster. Mougey praised Taylor, but it does not sound like the nomadic QB’s roster spot is secure, as the new front office boss pegged it at too early to determine that component. The Jets have Taylor tied to a $6MM 2025 base salary. Due to void years being on Taylor’s deal, the team would be tagged with $5.7MM in dead money if it releases him. Still, the Jets should be expected to add a veteran soon, per ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini.

A report earlier this month indicated the Jets could pair a veteran passer with a rookie. Holding the No. 7 pick in a draft that both features a few QB-needy teams above them and a short supply of QB prospects, the Jets are not in a great place to add an heir apparent.

Barring an unlikely Sam Darnold return, the team also is moving on from probably the most talented option in Rodgers. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, depending on how the Steelers proceed before March 10, could be in play. Ditto Kirk Cousins, whom the team aggressive pursued during his 2018 free agency. Bridge types like Jacoby Brissett, Jimmy Garoppolo, Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston will be available as well.

It would seem likely the Jets will have a less talented quarterback than Rodgers leading their depth chart in 2025. While the organization may need a multiyear plan here, it will be interesting to see how the Glenn-Mougey regime picks up the pieces ahead of this coming season.

Aaron Rodgers Eyeing Rams, Aiming To Continue Playing With Davante Adams?

February 26th, 2025 at 11:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Set to be released from his Jets contract soon, Aaron Rodgers must wait until March 12 before becoming a free agent. Because the Jets are planning to designate him as a post-June 1 cut, no official release can take place until the start of the 2025 league year. In the meantime, however, the future Hall of Fame quarterback can survey the landscape.

One place that would understandably generate interest: Los Angeles. Rodgers indeed is believed to be eyeing a Rams fit, according to the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard. This is contingent upon the Rams following through with a Matthew Stafford trade. While Stafford and the Rams look to find a solution on his contract, a handful of teams have come up as destinations for the 37-year-old passer.

Rodgers is now 41 and not in the same form Stafford is. That said, he still played 17 games for the Jets and finished with 28 touchdown passes compared to 11 interceptions (albeit at just 6.7 yards per attempt). The former Packers superstar has not closely reminded fans of his MVP form, but he would be an upgrade for teams in need at the position. While teams like the Steelers, Browns and Raiders would come to mind as potential fits — particularly Pittsburgh and Cleveland due to the AFC North teams’ roster talent — the Rams have presented an optimal fit for quarterbacks since Sean McVay arrived in 2017.

Rodgers led the way to the Jets acquiring several of his ex-Green Bay teammates, with OC Nathaniel Hackett also owing his status in New York to his former Packers pupil. If Rodgers commits to playing a 21st season (a direction he is leaning), Leonard writes he would want to bring Davante Adams with him once again. The Jets gave up a third-round pick for Adams, and while that did not reignite last season’s edition, the former All-Pro did outperform Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins; he just did so for a 5-12 team.

The four-time MVP has a home in Los Angeles, and Adams has been tied to seeking a West Coast fit. The Rams came up as a potential destination, adding some intrigue here. It is not certain the Rams would want Rodgers, who does bring some baggage at this point in his career. A scenario in which the Rams move off Stafford and add Rodgers on the cheap could appeal to the NFC West club, but counting on a 40-something passer who suffered an Achilles tear in September 2023 would not be for everyone. If the Rams do pull the trigger on moving Stafford, though, they would obviously want a path to a starter-caliber quarterback to help sustain their playoff status.

Jets GM Darren Mougey did not indicate which way the team was leaning with Adams, only saying he is still at Jet at this time. But the team will not pay the accomplished wideout a $35.6MM base salary. The Jets are expected to move on soon, and they would not need to wait until June 1 with Adams. Cutting the 32-year-old performer would save the team $29.9MM.

The Rams signing off on the same Rodgers-Adams package the Jets are jettisoning would be interesting, given the team’s status as a perennial (save for an injury-ravaged 2022 season) contender. After all, the team is preparing to move on from its own 30-something receiver — Cooper Kupp. But it would appear Rodgers is closely monitoring the Stafford situation just in case the Rams would be interested in being his third NFL employer.

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