Aaron Rodgers has been making headlines for years before he ever left Green Bay. Just days before the 2023 NFL Draft, Green Bay decided to trade away the four-time MVP to the New York Jets. What followed was two abysmal seasons that wound up with Robert Saleh being fired and Rodgers being released.
Now, what Rodgers wants is something he clearly can’t have.
Aaron Rodgers Wants What Green Bay Has; Fans Absolutely Erupt
Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer:
While money is always a factor in the NFL, I don’t really get the idea it will be in this particular case, with either the New York Giants or the Steelers. At this point, my sense is that whatever Rodgers decides will come down to what he sees as the best football situation.
And along those lines, I’ve heard Rodgers is looking for a culture such as the one in Green Bay.
I get it if that sounds a little strange after the drama of the four-time MVP’s final years as a Packer. But over the past few months, Rodgers has been open with people around him on his renewed appreciation for what he had for 18 seasons in Wisconsin. Call it a grass-is-greener dynamic if you want, but it definitely has felt, to some of those around him, like spending a couple years as a New York Jet made Rodgers view the situation he had more favorably.
That’s also one area where the Steelers have an edge—Pittsburgh has a long-established culture, a family-business feel, and stability, just like Green Bay. It also helps, I’d think, that the roster is stocked with decorated veterans such as T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and now DK Metcalf, who are deep into their careers and presumably would carry a similar win-now urgency to Rodgers.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws his 500th career touchdown pass in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws his 500th career touchdown pass in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Fans were quick to react to this news:
pic.twitter.com/BohM4suKn8
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) March 24, 2025
Had to be a culture shock going to the Jets and dealing with that the last 2 years lol
— KDG 🧀🦌 (@Official414) March 24, 2025
Yep… sometimes in life the grass isn’t always greener; and you know sometimes you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone.
— DRich (@drich318318) March 24, 2025
So he isn’t selfish … thank you for proving the people who said he was otherwise
— Kevin Oliverio (@Scruggy2412) March 24, 2025
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) balances a ball before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) balances a ball before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
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