Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP who is widely viewed as one of the best players ever at his position. However, amid interest from the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers, many are divided on his potential effectiveness as a starter next season.
In his first year back from a ruptured Achilles, Rodgers didn’t look like his former self. He finished with his lowest completion rate since 2019 with an interception rate above 1.8 percent for only the third time in the last decade. He also recorded his lowest QB rating ever (90.5) as a full-season starter.
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- Aaron Rodgers stats (ESPN): 3,897 passing yards, 28-11 TD-INT, 63% completion rate, 6.7 ypa, 90.5 QB rating, 40 sacks taken
While he wanted to stay with the New York Jets for the 2025 season, the team wasted little time moving on from him this offseason. Upon entering NFL free agency, he immediately drew interest from the Giants and Steelers with the Vikings entering the mix more recently.
Pittsburgh and New York are in limbo, with Rodgers reportedly preferring to play for Minnesota. However, the Vikings coaching staff and front office aren’t completely sold on the idea of signing the 41-year-old quarterback. The split opinions seem to reflect the sentiment of Rodgers around the league.
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Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote an in-depth piece regarding how divided many talent evaluators are of Rodgers heading into his age-41 season. However, even those who see a quarterback clearly in decline believe that he can provide some positive things as a starter.
“He’s on the downside. He still has the flashes of arm talent and accuracy. There’s a depreciation of the mobility that made him great, when he was that two-way, run/pass option player on every play. It’s relegated him to being more of a pocket-passing veteran. Do I think he can start for a year? I do. … He still sees the field well, has football intelligence, the quick release. His arm’s not quite what it was but with the right surrounding cast? Yes.”
Anonymous AFC executive on what Aaron Rodgers still has to offer
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- Aaron Rodgers career stats: 102.6 QB rating, 62,952 passing yards, 503-116 TD-INT, 65.1% completion rate, 7.6 yards per attempt
The aforementioned AFC executive does work for a team that played against the Jets last season and saw the signs of “decline” that should cause some pause. However, a defensive coach in the AFC who had to game plan for Rodgers sees it a bit differently.
“I think the guy is still a beast. Mentally and arm-talent-wise, he hasn’t dropped off at all. Now, his mobility and athleticism, of course, isn’t the same as it was 10 years ago. [But] if I’m a team and I need a quarterback right now, I don’t hesitate signing him.”
Anonymous AFC defensive coach on what Aaron Rodgers has left on the field.
Rodgers obviously doesn’t have the athleticism he used to and that’s a big reason why he can no longer play at an All-Pro level. He also comes with other issues, like overruling the play call or his coach, which could make him less appealing to the Vikings with J.J. McCarthy ready to be the starter.
However, neither the Steelers nor the Giants are in a position where they can be as picky. Pittsburgh is trying to win with Mike Tomlin and already showed its intentions with the DK Metcalf trade. Meanwhile, New York’s head coach and general manager are on the hot seat. Even if Rodgers isn’t the player he used to be, he’s the best option available for Pittsburgh and New York.
