Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is bracing for free agency as the New York Jets prepare to make his release official, but despite his decorated career, the market for the 41-year-old signal-caller is expected to be lukewarm at best. However, Rodgers appears to be taking the initiative in seeking out potential suitors, and one of the teams he has reportedly reached out to is an unexpected NFC franchise.
According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Rodgers and his camp have been making “multiple calls” to the New York Giants, expressing interest in a potential partnership. Given the Giants’ quarterback uncertainty, there could be a level of mutual interest, especially considering their recent pursuit of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Giants Shift Focus After Missing Out on Matthew Stafford
The Giants have made it clear that they intend to upgrade at quarterback this offseason. Reports earlier this month linked New York to Matthew Stafford, but their pursuit hit a dead end after Stafford and the Rams agreed to a restructured contract on Friday.
Now, according to Dianna Russini, the Giants have turned their attention to Rodgers, considering him as a potential stopgap solution while they search for a long-term answer at the position.
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Would Rodgers Be a Smart Move for the Giants?
The Giants are coming off a disastrous 3-14 season, and their quarterback situation is one of the biggest reasons for their struggles. Daniel Jones, who signed a four-year, $160 million contract last offseason, suffered an ACL injury and struggled mightily when healthy. Backup Tommy DeVito showed flashes but is far from a viable long-term answer.
Rodgers, despite his age and the wear-and-tear of his 2023 Achilles surgery, played relatively well down the stretch last season. He finished with 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, improving as the season progressed. However, the Jets still floundered to a 5-12 record, proving that Rodgers alone wasn’t enough to salvage their season.
That raises a major question: Would Rodgers actually make the Giants significantly better?
At this stage of his career, Rodgers is no longer the game-changing force who could single-handedly elevate a struggling franchise. If the Giants were a quarterback away from contention, his experience and leadership could be a perfect fit. But with a roster filled with holes, Rodgers might not be the solution the team truly needs.
Rodgers’ Future: A Bridge Quarterback or a Championship Piece?
One potential scenario in which Rodgers could make sense for the Giants is as a bridge quarterback. New York holds the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft and is widely expected to select a top QB prospect—possibly Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, or J.J. McCarthy. In that case, having a veteran mentor like Rodgers could help ease the transition for a rookie quarterback.
However, if the Giants are looking for a long-term fix, Rodgers is likely not the answer. Given his age, injury history, and outspoken personality, he may not be an ideal fit for a rebuilding team.
Rodgers’ desire to keep playing is evident, but his list of potential suitors is shrinking. Some contending teams could take a flyer on him for his playoff experience, but he is unlikely to be any team’s top priority.
Whether the Giants truly pursue Rodgers or pass on the opportunity, one thing is clear—his days of being the most coveted quarterback on the market are firmly in the past.
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