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The free agency options for former Green Bay Packers superstar Aaron Rodgers are shrinking fast, and at this point, his choices seem to be down to two: sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers or call it a career—at least for now.
Rodgers reportedly has his sights set on joining the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, but for the moment, they’re not interested. While that could change down the road, it leaves him in limbo for the upcoming season.
The Steelers have shown interest, and by all accounts, Rodgers’ recent meeting with head coach Mike Tomlin went well. He even had a throwing session with Pittsburgh’s new star wide receiver, D.K. Metcalf. However, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Rodgers might not be sold on the idea of playing in the Steel City.
“I had somebody suggest to me yesterday, and I’m just sharing what I heard,” Florio said via Steelers Nation. “This is not a report, just an opinion from a high-level person in an NFL organization. The belief is that Rodgers doesn’t really want to play for the Steelers and is holding out for Minnesota.”
If that’s true, the Rodgers saga could drag deep into the spring, keeping Pittsburgh in a tough spot.
Tomlin has publicly stated he’s comfortable with Mason Rudolph as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, but Rudolph has never been more than a solid backup. If Rodgers ultimately passes on Pittsburgh, the team will have to rely on Rudolph to extend its incredible streak of 21 consecutive seasons without a losing record.
Meanwhile, the Vikings appear to be moving forward with J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in last year’s NFL Draft. McCarthy missed all of last season with a meniscus injury but was coming off a national championship-winning run with the University of Michigan.
For now, Rodgers’ next move remains uncertain. Will he suit up in black and yellow, sit out and wait for Minnesota, or shock everyone by walking away from the game? The clock is ticking.