The Patriots have their franchise quarterback, but they’ve surely kept tabs on the offseason market.
Fortunately for those inside One Patriot Place, plenty has broke in their favor.
The reported signings of Sam Darnold (Seahawks), Daniel Jones (Colts) and even Geno Smith (Raiders) didn’t hurt those in New England. It kept the Titans, Browns and Giants — three teams that have higher first-round picks than the Patriots — in need of a quarterback.
New England’s attention now shifts to Aaron Rodgers, who will become a free agent when the NFL’s new league year starts Wednesday afternoon. The four-time NFL MVP reportedly is deciding between the Steelers and Giants though the Vikings have been floated as an [under-the-radar possibility](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/steelers-giants-vikings-latest-aaron-rodgers-watch).
Those at Gillette Stadium surely are hoping Rodgers doesn’t sign with Big Blue. Such a decision from the tight-lipped Rodgers would, again, mean the Giants struck out on a veteran quarterback.
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Could New York then shift gears to someone like Russell Wilson? Sure. But Rodgers feels like a better stopgap option, despite his recent injuries and decline in production. Adding Wilson shouldn’t take New York out of the first-round QB market. Rodgers might.
Rodgers signing with Pittsburgh, which feels like the best spot for both sides, would be great news. If for some reason the 41-year-old decided to venture to Minnesota, that wouldn’t hurt the Patriots either. It might even benefit since New York and Pittsburgh then would fight over Wilson.
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Rodgers is the next domino to fall in the QB market. The Patriots almost certainly have a preference of where they don’t want him to sign.
Featured image via Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images