It’s official. The New York Jets announced on Feb. 13 that quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not return in 2025. More than likely, the Jets will release Rodgers this offseason. That will allow him to sign with a team of his choosing.
Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd proposed on Feb. 13 that that team could be the Los Angeles Rams.
Colin Cowherd Proposes Aaron Rodgers Lands With Rams
Cowherd’s entire hypothetical first relies on the Rams moving on from Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford. That’s not out of the realm of possibility, and maybe even quite possible, based on insiders from around the league.
Albert Breer called Stafford the NFL offseason’s “biggest QB domino,” linking Stafford to the annual playoff but not Super Bowl contender Pittsburgh Steelers. But Breer identified the New York Giants as the top landing spot for Stafford.
Cowherd sees that as a strong possibility too, and if that happens, Cowherd argued the Rams will target Rodgers as Stafford’s replacement.
“Packers got better without him. His image, big advertisers, not interested. Jets were a mess. He needs a rehab,” Cowherd said of Rodgers on Feb. 13. “Got a house in Malibu. West Coast guy. By the way, in a division with Geno Smith, Kyler Murray, Brock Purdy, Aaron Rodgers last 10 games last year, he was good.
“Remember, that was with a third-tier coaching staff. Now he gets McVay, an established O-line, an excellent young defense. Remember, Matt LaFleur’s brother is the OC with Sean McVay. He’s been in that system before, so Aaron knows the system with the Rams.”
Matthew Stafford to the Giants. Aaron Rodgers to the Rams. Hear @ColinCowherd out…
"I made a couple of calls yesterday and a couple of texts this morning. I'm going to propose something." pic.twitter.com/hErnIPvD0U
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 13, 2025
Cowherd proposed the Rams could trade Stafford to the Giants for the team’s No. 3 overall pick. With that selection, Cowherd predicted the Rams could then draft Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to replace Cooper Kupp.
“He’s easily the best receiver of this draft,” Cowherd said. “This sounds crazy. But the Matthew Stafford to the Giants thing is real, I’m told. I am told that they like Matt Stafford, but he’s old.”
MORE: 4 Potential Landing Spots For Aaron Rodgers Entering NFL Offseason
It begs the question why the Giants would trade the No. 3 overall pick for an “old” quarterback. But regardless of what the Giants might give up for Stafford, there appears to be enough smoke that he could land in New York for Cowherd to argue the Rams as a potential destination for Rodgers.
Rodgers ‘Has Something Left’ at 41 Years Old?
Rodgers remains a big name in NFL circles. But some pundits are concerned about the drop-off in his play.
He was below average in the PFN QB+ metric, earning a 72.2 C-minus grade. Overall, Rodgers finished 21st among all signal-callers.
“On the season, Rodgers has a -0.02 EPA/DB (27th), ranks 36th from a clean pocket (0.07 EPA/DB), and has converted just 33.5% of the time on third down (29th). His 6.2 nYPA ranks 30th and is very low, considering he’s getting 5.8 YAC/Cp, which ranks ninth this season,” wrote PFSN.
Cowherd doesn’t share in those concerns and would still clearly take a chance on him being better with a superior NFL organization. Breer didn’t sound too worried about those concerns either, arguing Rodgers still has something left to offer.
Breer told Cowherd on Feb. 13 that scouts have told him Rodgers “still sees and thinks the game at a really high level.” Breer also noted that Rodgers should be better in his second year after his Achilles tendon tear than his first.
The insider added Rodgers is likely to consider the Rams a top potential destination.
“The idea of playing in that system for that coach, I think, will appeal to any quarterback for the same reason it appeared to Stafford in 2021,” said Breer.
"The idea of playing in that system with that coach would appeal to anybody."@AlbertBreer on Aaron Rodgers' potential fit with the Rams: pic.twitter.com/UUW1k46ZFI
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 13, 2025
Rodgers posted a 63% completion percentage with a 6.7 yards-per-pass average in 2024, tied for the lowest of his career.
He also had 3,897 passing yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, with the Jets finishing third in the AFC East with a 5-12 record.