NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
Aaron Rodgers’ time as a New York Jet has come to an end. Should he continue to play in the 2025 season, the teams looking for his services might be fewer, but that doesn’t mean he still can’t find success elsewhere. Who should pick up the phone for Rodgers in 2025?:
San Francisco 49ers
Look, the 49ers are going to have to pay Brock Purdy, we all get that. However, is Brock Purdy the answer in San Fran? Yes, but also no. He has all the skills to make him a top-10 QB in passing yards and threw 20 TDs to just 12 INTs. However, what Purdy lacks right now is the veteran command and killer instinct. Can he get to the next level? Would bringing in a guy such as Rodgers to shadow build those characteristics for the future?
At just 25 years old, Purdy has a whole career in San Fran ahead of him and SF has a great supporting cast there for him. Rodgers, at the right price, would elevate his game. The only problem is, Rodgers doesn’t fit the Shannahan offense. He’s an old-school guy who prefers to run up and snap the ball without all the extra motions and audibles. Still, the 49ers are an elite QB play away from being a dangerous team if they can sort out their in-house setbacks.
New Orleans Saints
Yes, the Saints already have a bloated contract in Derek Carr, but let’s face it: It might be time to move on from him. The problem with Derek Carr in New Orleans is that the Saints need an elite quarterback who can elevate the talent, which Carr has not been, or they need a completely stacked roster, which they do not have. Maybe the Saints can negotiate a move for Carr that works out slightly in their favor. New Orleans could use a discount right now as a cap-heavy team.
The real question is, would Aaron Rodgers stay on a discounted rate for a new team? One of the main reasons the Jets were able to bring in so many free agents was the reworked deal with Rodgers. Unfortunately, as much as the Saints need a move such as this to stay relevantly competitive, they’ve painted themselves into a massive corner with the salary cap, and more than likely, this deal doesn’t get done.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville has a QB with a top-5 contract, but not a top-5 play. Trevor Lawrence hasn’t found a way to win football games, but it’s in large part due to his lack of talent surrounding him. Unfortunately, in order to get that level of talent, the Jags would need to spend big, something they’ve been reluctant to do. Lawrence hasn’t proven he’s got the passion for football to get to the elite QB tier and the Jags should weigh all options.
a 40+-year-old QB might not be the best route, but they can’t afford to keep the status quo. Jacksonville is starting over with a new HC and a new HC should be able to develop his QB and fit into his system. Rodgers might not give them that option up front, but it does allow them to go get him in this draft and develop them. They could draft in the mid-rounds while acquiring a high level of talent in their early rounds of the draft. Too many teams are QB-needy to make Coen figure out Lawrence and fix the entire team around him by changing either his coaching style or Lawrence’s play style. It’s much easier to get an elite QB to keep the team relevant and develop the players behind him.
In all truth, Aaron Rodgers should call it a career. He’s got a long way to go to get back to the top of the mountain and he’s nowhere near the all-time passing records. He can be a nomad and do all his own healing journeys in between his appearances on the Pat McCafee show and be just fine. Yet, if he’s still got the competitive spirit, someone will surely be looking for a playmaker.
