Aaron Rodgers Willing To Play For $10 Million A Year
In addition to saying he hasn't ruled out retiring this offseason, free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers said on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that "I'll play for $10 million." Rodgers also said next week's NFL draft won't have any impact on his plans. "I told every single one of the teams I talked to, it ain't about the money," the 41-year-old three-time MVP said. He confirmed he's had conversations with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Vikes and Giants have moved on, but Steelers president Art Rooney II said the team was "hearing that he's headed in our direction" at the league meetings earlier this month. Rodgers said he's operating on his own timeline while making his personal off-the field life a priority. While he could eventually sign with the Steelers, it certainly sounds like retirement is a very real possibility.
During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Thursday, future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he has not made a decision on his future as he focuses on his personal life, and retirement is still on the table this offseason. The longtime Green Bay Packer and short-term New York Jet has been rumored to land with the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2025 campaign, but it sounds like there is still uncertainty. Rodgers, who threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2024, could have success in the right fit, but his prime is clearly past him, and NFL fans will have to wait at least a little bit longer to see what his plans are for the upcoming season. If Rodgers plays in 2025, it would be a surprise to see him firmly on the fantasy football radar in single-QB leagues.
Signs "Pointing" Toward Aaron Rodgers Signing With Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II said that he has a good feeling about free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and the signs are "pointing in that direction" for him signing with the team. Rodgers remains on the free-agent market, but the expectation has been that he will eventually land with Pittsburgh after Russell Wilson signed with the New York Giants. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said on Tuesday that Rodgers threw to Steelers wideout DK Metcalf at UCLA over the weekend, which is just another sign that the future Hall of Famer will eventually sign with the Steelers this offseason as their new starting QB. The 41-year-old three-time MVP is doing his due diligence and is in no rush. It's also possible that Rodgers is waiting to make it official until after this month's NFL draft as to not affect the team's compensatory picks. At best, Rodgers will be a midrange QB2 in fantasy in Pittsburgh.
Minnesota Not Ruling Out Further Talks With Aaron Rodgers
On Wednesday, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah noted naming second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) as the team's starting quarterback is "the outcome we want" and "the outcome we're headed towards." However, he refused to rule out the potential of reigniting discussions with free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. McCarthy has been cleared for offseason activity, but his return to the field remains unknown. The only other QB on the roster is Brett Rypien. With the New York Giants' most recent signing of Russell Wilson, they're out of the game for Rodgers, so if nothing transpires with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the veteran could still land with the Vikings. He'd undoubtedly be an upgrade over Rypien if McCarthy were out for longer than expected.
Vikings Have Not Ruled Out Potential Aaron Rodgers Signing
The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly not actively targeting free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, when asked to rule out the possibility of signing Rodgers, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah declined to do so. "For me to sit here and say anything is 100% forever," Adofo-Mensah said. "That's just not the job." The team has had talks with veteran free-agent Ryan Tannehill, but no deal is imminent. There is uncertainty surrounding the Vikings' quarterback spot as J.J.McCarthy (knee) works his way back from a torn ACL that cost him his entire rookie season, and the general belief is the Vikings would like to add a solid veteran option to compete with McCarthy after Sam Darnold departed for the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers, who posted a 5-12 record in 2024 with the New York Jets behind 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions is running out of potential landing spots after Russell Wilson signed with the New York Giants on Tuesday. Rodgers' most likely option is the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the situation in Minnesota is better suited for an aging quarterback on the last leg of his career.
Steelers The Likely Landing Spot For Aaron Rodgers
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that with quarterback Russell Wilson landing with the New York Giants on Tuesday, it would seem to indicate that free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers will likely join the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2025 season if he decides to keep playing. This is the way things have been trending ever since the Minnesota Vikings said last week that they didn't plan on adding Rodgers to their QB room. Per Josina Anderson, the Steelers walked away from their visit with Rodgers feeling really good about the vibe of the meeting, according to a league source. It would be a surprise at this point if Rodgers isn't the Steelers' starting QB in 2025, but that won't stop them from also drafting a QB this year. Rodgers would be working with a strong receiver duo of DK Metcalf and George Pickens, but he also had Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson in 2024 with the Jets and finished as the QB15 in fantasy scoring.
Aaron Rodgers A "Safe Bet" To Eventually Sign With Steelers
Free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a "safe bet" to eventually sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a source told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. After being told that the Minnesota Vikings are moving forward with last year's first-rounder, J.J. McCarthy (knee), as their starter in 2025, Rodgers spent more than six hours visiting with the Steelers last Friday. The New York Giants have also been mentioned as a potential landing spot for the future Hall of Famer, but it's seen as highly unlikely. So if the 41-year-old three-time MVP doesn't decide to hang up his cleats, signing with Pittsburgh is the most likely scenario. Rodgers would have a nice receiver duo of DK Metcalf and George Pickens if he goes to the Steel City, but a WR duo of Davante Adams/Garrett Wilson didn't elevate the Jets to a playoff team with Rodgers at the helm in 2024. At best, Rodgers would be a midrange QB2 in fantasy in 2025 in Pittsburgh. UPDATE: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on the The Pat McAfee Show that Rodgers' meeting with the Steelers "went really well."
Free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers visited the Pittsburgh Steelers' facility on Friday, an indication that a deal with the team could be coming soon, sources tell the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that no deal is done or imminent, but Rodgers spent time with Steelers coaches. The future Hall of Famer appeared to be waiting to see if the Minnesota Vikings had any real interest in signing him, but they recently said they aren't interested in the 41-year-old at this time, which could put Rodgers to sign with the Steelers. Pittsburgh reunited with QB Mason Rudolph in free agency, but if Rodgers were to sign, he'd be the unquestioned starter heading into the 2025 season. The 10-time Pro Bowler and four-time MVP threw for 3,897 yards, 28 TDs and 11 interceptions but was unable to lead the Jets to the postseason in 2024. Even with George Pickens and DK Metcalf as the top receivers, Rodgers wouldn't be much more than a midrange QB2 in fantasy if he joins the Steelers.
Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Minnesota Vikings are not pursuing free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers at this time and remain fully committed to J.J. McCarthy (knee). The Athletic's Dianna Russini says that the Vikings have strongly considered and will continue to monitor Rodgers as an option, but they aren't ready to commit at this point in the offseason, according to sources. They understand it could lead to Rodgers signing elsewhere or retiring. It sounds like the Vikings want to see how much McCarthy has progressed during offseason workouts before deciding how desperate they are to add a veteran QB option like Rodgers, who brings with him plenty of drama. McCarthy was taken in the first round in 2024 but missed his entire rookie campaign due to a torn meniscus. The ball is now in Rodgers' court. Does he want to wait out the Vikings, sign with the Steelers or Giants, or retire?
FOX Sports' Ralph Vacchiano absolutely thinks it's a no-brainer move for the Minnesota Vikings to sign free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, especially after they let Sam Darnold walk in free agency. Vacchiano believes the Vikings are still one of the best teams in the NFC -- they won 14 games in 2024 before collapsing late -- and that handing over a team that good to an untested rookie QB in J.J. McCarthy would be foolish when they have a chance to land a future Hall of Famer. FOX's Henry McKenna believes it sounds good on paper, but when you consider the drama that Rodgers brings with him, the whole dynamic changes, and perhaps Minnesota doesn't want to go down that road. Vacchiano believes head coach Kevin O'Connell can find a way to adjust his system to fit Rodgers' skills. Landing in Minnesota would be the best-case scenario for Rodgers' 2025 fantasy value, but he'd still probably be no more than a high-end QB2.