Aaron Rodgers’ larger-than-life personality seems to get in his way more often than not, despite all the accolades and success he has achieved in his 20-year NFL career. He was considered the best short-term option on the open market for QB-needy teams. Not anymore, it seems.
Advertisement
Rodgers seems to be the odd man out in this free agency cycle. As his contract negotiations with the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to stall, one analyst believes that the quarterback is hesitant to sign due to how the Atlanta Falcons handled their 2024 draft cycle.
On the latest episode of The Colin Cowherd Podcast, the host suggested that the Green Bay legend is purposely buying himself as much time as possible. Cowherd added that he would do the same thing were he in Rodgers’ shoes, having learnt from the Falcons’ infamous Kirk Cousins contract.
“I think Aaron’s smart. I would wait until the draft is over, I wanna see where the chips fall. I don’t want to get burned like Kirk Cousins. I’m going to sit around, if I’m Aaron, and if I don’t get the right offer, I’ve got 200 million bucks in the bank and I’m done,” said Cowherd.
After signing Cousins to a $180 million deal, the Falcons spent their eighth overall draft pick on Michael Penix Jr. That, in effect, put Cousins’ future with the franchise into question before it even began. The move has resulted in Cousins being paid millions of dollars just to hold a clipboard on Sundays.
Cowherd’s guest and former NFL scout, John Middlekauff, noted that there is likely little concern for Rodgers at this point in time. Stating that the veteran signal caller still provides Pittsburgh with the best odds at winning in 2025, Middlekauff suggested that there’s very little to no negotiating power for the Steelers.
“What is Pittsburgh going to do? Even if Shedeur Sanders falls to them, they still wouldn’t be interested in bringing me in? They want to win next year. Shedeur doesn’t guarantee that. He actually has a weird amount of leverage over Mike Tomlin and Pittsburgh,” said Middlekauff.
If the AFC North’s longest-standing member wants to harbor hopes of making an immediate return to the postseason, they will have to meet Rodgers’ demands, regardless of how ridiculous they may be.
Middlekauff suggests potential contract numbers for Rodgers
The former scout also suggested that Rodgers should look toward the Minnesota Vikings rather than the Steelers. The NFC North powerhouse could be willing to offer a better situation, with the tradeoff being a cheaper salary.
Despite reports that claim Rodgers is looking for a one-year, $25 million contract, Middlekauff surmised that the Vikings could get away with offering him less since they will be able to field a better team.
“If I’m Kevin O’Connell, I go, ‘Aaron, we want ya… We’re offering you a veteran minimum, no guarantee’. You’ve already made 500 or 400 million dollars off of the field; who knows how much you’ve made, but we’re not guaranteeing you anything. So if things get weird or it doesn’t fit, we can both move on,” explained Middlekauff.
Asserting that the Vikings “are by far his best opportunity”, Middlekauff said that a minimum contract between Rodgers and his former rivals could prove to be the perfect scenario for both parties.
While J.J. McCarthy wouldn’t be thrilled to hear the news, Rodgers joining the ranks of Minnesota would complete a storybook career arc laced with undertones of Brett Favre.
Nevertheless, it seems increasingly likely that fans will have to wait until the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft before discovering the final stop of Rodgers’ Hall of Fame career.
