After Derek Carr’s unexpected retirement this offseason, Aaron Rodgers quickly became a popular name linked to the New Orleans Saints. With the team now lacking an experienced veteran quarterback and Rodgers still unsigned late in the offseason, [speculation began to build.](https://thepewterplank.com/buccaneers-won-t-like-who-the-saints-could-replace-derek-carr-with-next)
That speculation didn’t last long.
At a recent Mike Stud concert and fan Q&A, Rodgers was asked directly by a Saints fan about potentially joining New Orleans, and he wasted no time shutting the door on that possibility.
“You’re a free agent now. Would you ever consider playing for the Saints and making us great again?” asked the fan in the crowd.
“No,” Rodgers quickly replied. “I’ve played there a couple times, but no. The answer is no. I’m too old, I don’t want to live in Louisiana.”
Rodgers’ blunt dismissal of both the city and the franchise highlights how far the Saints have fallen from their glory days. Just a few short years ago under Sean Payton and Drew Brees, New Orleans was one of the NFC’s premier destinations. Now, a four-time MVP publicly laughing off the idea of playing there speaks volumes.
New Orleans wasn’t the only team Rodgers shut down. When asked about possibly joining the Bears, he also said no, but hinted he might sign with a team that visits Chicago this fall.
That lines up with the ongoing buzz surrounding Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who happen to visit Soldier Field in 2025. Rodgers to Pittsburgh has been the expected move for months now, and he seems to be leaning into that rumor as his decision approaches.
His firm “no” on the Saints, however, is great news for the Buccaneers. Though he’s no longer in his prime at 41 years old, Rodgers turned in an impressive performance down the stretch for the Jets last season, with 3,897 passing yards along with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Rodgers proved he still has good football left in the tank, and luckily, the Buccaneers won’t have to compete against him as a division rival in his apparent final season.
Instead, New Orleans will turn to a quarterback competition between rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough and second-year project Spencer Rattler. No disrespect to those guys, but that’s a much more favorable matchup for Tampa Bay as they look to win their fifth-consecutive NFC South title.
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