NFL reporter Albert Breer has predicted that free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers will soon meet with an NFC team. After Rodgers’ recent six-hour meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Breer writes that the four-time MVP’s next team may come down to “nostalgia.”
Aaron Rodgers Visits Pittsburgh Steelers, Spends 6 Hours With Team
After months of speculation — and in some cases, frustration — Rodgers appears to finally be taking steps toward choosing his next team. The decision is believed to be between just two teams: the Steelers and the New York Giants.
When news broke that Rodgers was visiting the Steelers’ facility, many believed the veteran had made his decision. But NFL insiders like ESPN’s Adam Schefter quickly shut down that idea.
While Rodgers’ visit with Pittsburgh is a big development, it might not mean much. According to Breer, Rodgers is expected to spend time in New York, with many in the Steelers organization believing he will also meet with the Giants.
“Steelers folks seemed to think coming out of their meeting that he’d probably do a similar day with the Giants to get a vibe for their building, and what head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen have built. Unlike the Steelers, the Giants would look to Rodgers to do what the Jets envisioned him accomplishing and lift a growing, young core brimming with potential within a franchise that’s fallen on hard times.
“The Steelers meeting did come together quickly, and I heard that Rodgers was planning to spend some time at his home in the New York area, so getting over to see the Giants wouldn’t be overly complicated. Whether it happens will, obviously, be telling.”
What Do the Steelers and Giants Offer Rodgers?
On paper, it’s hard to imagine two more different teams than the Steelers and Giants. Pittsburgh has a roster full of veterans who want to win now. That hard-nosed image may have faded a bit in recent years, but this is still a team focused on chasing a Super Bowl. If Rodgers — who has just one Super Bowl win despite four MVPs — wants another shot at the Lombardi Trophy, the choice might seem obvious.
The Giants, meanwhile, are a team looking to turn a corner after drafting several young players over the last few years. The most notable is wide receiver Malik Nabers, who is young, but he might already be one of the most talented receivers Rodgers has ever played with.
Tight end Theo Johnson and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. joined Nabers in New Jersey last year, giving the Giants a solid young core. Rodgers has been the veteran presence in a young offense before, both in Green Bay and with the New York Jets.
While the Steelers might be closer to winning now, it’s still unclear if that’s what matters most to Rodgers at this stage of his career. In the final episode of Rodgers’ documentary, “Enigma,” he talks about the idea of “win at all costs.” Rodgers says he doesn’t believe in that mindset and reflects on his memories with the Green Bay Packers.
Wherever Rodgers decides to go next will likely be wherever feels right to him. We’ll have to wait and see what that is.