Aaron Rodgers is still in no rush to decide on his future.
With the NFL world waiting for the free-agent quarterback to make up his mind, Rodgers indicated Thursday on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he is not close to making a decision on his future, as he has had people in his inner circle dealing with “difficult stuff.”
The 41-year-old said he isn’t “stringing anybody along” or “holding anybody hostage” by not deciding where to sign or whether to retire, but has had “constraints in my life right now that warrant my attention.”
“I’m open to anything and attached to nothing, so retirement could still be a possibility,” Rodgers said, adding he told teams from the beginning that he’d be willing to play for $10 million.
The new Jets regime of head coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey decided to move on from Rodgers after his two seasons with Gang Green, opting to sign Justin Fields to be their starter this year.
Rodgers said he flew across the country to meet the Jets in person expecting a long meeting, only to be told quickly by Glenn that the team was moving on, something that didn’t sit well with him.
Rodgers hadn’t spoken publicly in two months, last telling TMZ in February that he was looking for a team that wanted him and also had talent on the roster.
Last month, Rodgers was spotted looking pensive on a beach in Malibu days after the start of free agency, when other players were being snapped up left and right.
The Giants, after flirting with a Matthew Stafford trade before he signed a re-worked deal with the Rams, pursued Rodgers, but they moved on from their pursuit to sign Russell Wilson in late March as their new starting quarterback while adding Jameis Winston as a backup.
Though Rodgers reportedly reached out to Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell about joining Minnesota, Rodgers criticized that report and said he and O’Connell talk regularly, having known each other for a long time.
Minnesota is sticking to its plan of giving the reins to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season due to knee surgery.
That leaves the Steelers, a playoff team in need of a quarterback, as the only logical landing spot remaining. The Saints suddenly need a QB with Derek Carr possibly suffering a season-ending injury, but they don’t figure to be in the playoff mix in 2025.
Rodgers talked positively about the Steelers and new receiver DK Metcalf, whom he threw to during a recent workout at UCLA.
He also said he’s talked to head coach Mike Tomlin “many times,” but he doesn’t feel he owes anyone an answer by a certain time, and would understand if any team has to move on and go in a different direction.
“I am trying to be open to everything and not specifically attached to anything when it comes to this decision,” Rodgers said. “I’m just going through a lot in my personal life that has to take precedent at this point.”
Rodgers played all 17 games last season after tearing his Achilles tendon four plays into the 2023 season — throwing for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while the Jets went 5-12.
He is seventh all-time with 62,952 yards passing and fifth all-time with 503 passing touchdowns.
