Aaron Rodgers has yet to decide on his future.
As the NFL world is waiting for a free-agent quarterback to settle his mind, Rodgers showed on Thursday on the “Pat McCuffy Show” that people in his inner circle are not approaching making decisions about his future as they deal with “the hard ones.”
The 41-year-old said he “strung to anyone, anyone,” and “holding hostages,” by not deciding where to sign or whether to retire, but he said he “has the constraints of my life that require my attention.”
“I’m open to anything and nothing attached so retirement is still possible,” Rodgers said, saying he’s willing to play for $10 million to the team from the start.
The new Jets administration of head coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Moogie have decided to move on from Rodgers after two seasons with Gang Green and have chosen to sign Justin Field as the starter this year.
Rodgers said he flew across the country to meet the Jets in anticipation of a long meeting.
Rodgers hadn’t spoken publicly in two months, and last told TMZ in February that he was looking for a team he wanted with him and a talented team.
Last month, Rodgers was spotted looking pensive on the beach in Malibu from the start of free agency as other players were off the boards left and right.
The Giants chased after Rogers after flirting with Matthew Stafford’s trade before signing a reworked deal with the Rams, but they moved from the pursuit to sign Russell Wilson as the new starting quarterback in late March, adding Jamaice Winston as a backup.
Rogers reportedly reached out to Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell about joining Minnesota, but Rogers criticized the report, saying he and O’Connell spoke regularly and knew each other for a long time.
Minnesota is sticking to plans to give the reins to 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy, who missed out on his entire rookie season due to knee surgery.
This leaves the Steelers as the only logical landing spot as a playoff team that needs a quarterback. The Saints suddenly need a QB with Derek Kerr likely to suffer a season-ending injury, but will not be in the playoff mix in 2025.
Rogers spoke proactively about the Steelers and their new receiver DK Metcalf. He also said he’s been talking to head coach Mike Tomlin “a lot” but doesn’t feel like he’s borrowing answers from anyone by a certain time, and he’ll understand whether any team has to move on and move in a different direction.
“I’m trying to be open to everything, but I’m not particularly attached to anything when it comes to this decision,” Rogers said. “I’ve been through a lot in my personal life where I have to hold precedent at this point.”
Rodgers tore four Achilles plays into the 2023 season last season, throwing 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions to make the Jets 5-12.
He is seventh with a fifth touchdown with 62,952 yards passing and 503 passing touchdowns, the highest ever.
