By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-25 14:31:36 | Updated at 2025-03-26 00:07:06
9 hours ago
Free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t done touring NFL team facilities, sources tell Monday Morning Quarterback’s Albert Breer.
After a reportedly productive meeting with Rodgers in Pittsburgh last week, Steelers officials now believe he will have a similar face-to-face with the New York Giants at their facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey, according to Breer.
The timing of such a meeting remains a mystery and a Giants spokesman told DailyMail.com that he was unaware of any scheduled visit with Rodgers.
Rodgers has shared mutual interest with both the Steelers and Giants, while reportedly eyeing the starting job with the Minnesota Vikings. However, NFL insider Tom Pelissero announced Wednesday the Vikings have made the decision to commit to second-year signal caller J.J. McCarthy as their starter next season after allowing Sam Darnold to sign with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Giants, meanwhile, recently added former Heisman winner and first-overall draft pick Jameis Winston on a two-year, $8 million deal. Winston is coming off a season as a backup in Cleveland and could be seen as a short-term starter and place-holder in the event the Giants pick a quarterback in the first round of next month's NFL Draft, or a potential backup to a fellow veteran, such as Rodgers.
The Steelers have other options as well, including last year's starter, Russell Wilson, who played well in his first season in Pittsburgh before finishing the year on a five-game losing skid. The Steelers' season ultimately ended with a playoff loss to the rival Baltimore Ravens.
Free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t done touring NFL team facilities, sources say
The situation surrounding Rodgers remains murky, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
‘… we’ve all spent the last several months just like we’ve done the last couple of years: trying to get into Aaron Rodgers’ head,’ Rapoport told the NFL Network crew this week. ‘And he doesn’t talk to a ton of people, and the people he does talk to keep it pretty close to the vest.
‘So we don’t really, truly what he knows what he thinks, except by his actions. We know that he’s extremely interested in the Steelers because he was in their facility for many hours. He met with their football staff. Seems like he had a great meeting with the coaches, specifically.’
As Rapoport explained, it’s unclear how much more information gathering Rodgers will be doing before finalizing a decision.
‘I know he’s taken the time to get to know the Giants over the last several weeks,’ Rapoport said. ‘What I really wonder now is: What else is there?
‘If there’s no Giants visit, if he’s comfortable enough there to make a decision, shouldn’t a decision be coming? Because he has no information to gather.’
The Giants also have an option to take a quarterback such as Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders with the third-overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, picks 21st in the first round, and may not have those two options available at that point.
Steelers returned to the playoffs last year, but will need to improve to challenge in the AFC
And according to Rapoport, that means the Steelers are under more pressure to add Rodgers.
‘If he doesn’t choose the Giants – they have the No. 3 overall pick – if they so desire, they can take a quarterback,’ he said. ‘If it’s not the Steelers, I really do wonder what’s next. There seems to be a remote possibility Russell Wilson is back there after the way it ended last year. Are they then forced into drafting a quarterback like they did four-or-so years ago [with Kenny Pickett]?
‘What other options are there for the Steelers if it’s not Rodgers?’ Rapoport asked. ‘Obviously they hope it is him, but if it’s not, it gets pretty interesting.’
As Breer sees it, the good news for Pittsburgh is the Steelers check a number of boxes for Rodgers, who is seeking a good football culture after two unfortunate seasons with the New York Jets.
Not only have they added star receiver DK Metcalf in a trade with Seattle, but the Steelers also boast veteran defensive stars such as T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick, not to mention an improving offensive line with last year’s addition of impressive rookie center Zach Frazier.
