NFL Offseason: Which QB-Hungry Team is Aaron Rodgers’ Best Fit?

• Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets will part ways
• Many NFL teams have a hole at quarterback
• Which teams would be a mutual fit with Rodgers?

The Jets and quarterback Aaron Rodgers are expected to part ways in the coming months. Rodgers has mused about retirement in the past, but whether he plays in 2025 or not is likely contingent on the available opportunities. Several NFL teams could conceivably use him even at age 41.

If Rodgers plays, it needs to be in an agreeable spot for him. That includes:

• A place he can win immediately
• An offense that suits him
• An agreeable location

Oddsmakers have posted the likeliest and most logical destinations.

Teams to Eliminate Out of Hand

Right off the bat, you can eliminate the Saints, the Seahawks, the Browns, the Raiders, and the Titans.

New Orleans is reportedly hiring Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as its next head coach. Moore uses Air Coryell (named after Hall of Fame coach Don Coryell) as his offensive style. It relies on a vertical passing game, deep strikes, and a good running attack.

Throughout his career, Rodgers has functioned in the West Coast Offense with short, high-percentage throws, precise routes, and the deep ball when the opportunity arises.

Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh innovated the West Coast Offense.

The Saints are in a tough division and are largely stuck with Derek Carr at QB.

If he were to go to Cleveland, it would be a similarly dysfunctional situation as the one he’s leaving with the Jets. Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald and Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan will want a mobile QB who isn’t going to exert his will on the roster. That’s not Rodgers’ modus operandi, even if he’s desperate for a job.

With Pete Carroll taking over as head coach of the Raiders and Tom Brady largely calling the shots as part-owner, they’re not going to have the clash of egos between Brady and Rodgers, nor will they want to run the risk of a repeat of what happened with the Jets.

The “Yeah, I Can See It(?)” Teams

The Giants and Colts make a semblance of sense for Rodgers.

As prideful and somewhat vindictive as the QB is, what better way to stick it to Woody Johnson than to go to the Giants, play in the same stadium, and win more games?

Still, now that the Daniel Jones era is over with the Giants and they retained GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, they will get the QB the brain trust wants and not one they inherited nor need to placate.

The Colts benched 2023 fourth overall draft pick Anthony Richardson at midseason due to his struggles. But backup Joe Flacco wasn’t much better, so they went back to Richardson. His accuracy is problematic. If they don’t feel he can improve enough to start the season or would benefit from sitting behind Rodgers, it might make sense. Their defense is quite good and they have weapons on offense including Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce.

Two Teams Make the Most Sense

The 49ers are Rodgers’ hometown team. There is a potential contractual impasse on the horizon with current QB Brock Purdy. Head coach Kyle Shanahan might want someone who can run his offense exactly as he crafted it. That is Rodgers.

Then there are the Steelers.

Pittsburgh’s QB situation is muddled at best. While Russell Wilson made the Pro Bowl and threw 16 touchdowns against 4 interceptions in 11 starts, the Steelers did lose their final five games with him under center. Justin Fields would benefit from sitting behind Rodgers.

For a Steelers-Rodgers marriage to work, the QB needs to accept that he’s not the assistant head coach, defacto offensive coordinator, pro personnel director, and co-GM. Tomlin is in charge in Pittsburgh and any player — legend or not — needs to understand that.

Rodgers Can Still Play

Regardless of how badly Rodgers’ time with the Jets went, he can still be productive. In 2024, he threw 28 TDs against 11 picks, accrued 3,897 yards through the air, and had a 90.5 passer rating. These are not the otherworldly numbers he posted in his prime with Green Bay, but it’s plenty good to win.