Aaron Rodgers won’t be joining the Vikings — his preferred landing spot for 2025.
That much became clear Wednesday.
So for Rodgers, it’s the Giants, the Steelers or retirement. Or maybe he waits for a starting quarterback on a legit contender (which the Giants most certainly are not) to suffer a training camp injury.
Clearly, the Steelers are a better destination for Rodgers, who would be foolish to pick the Giants over Pittsburgh. And as of Tuesday, the Steelers were reportedly growing optimistic about their chances of landing Rodgers — and beating out the Giants for his services.
But as he decides what to do — among those four options (including just continuing to wait) — he “is in no rush at all,” according to ESPN.
Of course he isn’t. That’s just how Rodgers operates. And presuming he remains the top free agent choice for the Steelers and Giants — who could both draft a quarterback on April 24 — there’s no need for him to rush.
But three days before the draft begins, on April 21, the Steelers and Giants will both begin their spring workout programs. You’d think Rodgers would like to make a decision by then — at least if you’re looking at this situation logically — because he’d need the spring to get acclimated with his new team.
So April 21 — more than a month away — is a deadline of sorts. And then the start of the draft, three days later, is a firmer deadline.
All we know for now is that the Vikings don’t want Rodgers, as they roll with J.J. McCarthy, last year’s 10th overall pick. Rodgers wanted them, but they said “no thanks.” They would’ve been a great destination for him at this stage of his career. So what now?
Well, all everyone can do is continue to wait — perhaps for another month or so.
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Darryl Slater may be reached atdslater@njadvancemedia.com.