After a very lengthy free agency negotiation, Aaron Rodgers is still without a new contract or team as the 2025 NFL Draft looms closer. With the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings seemingly out of the running, that has left the Pittsburgh Steelers as the primary destination for the veteran quarterback.
However, thanks to recent developments, a new team might be entering the sweepstakes to acquire Rodgers’ services — the New Orleans Saints. With both teams presumably needing a decision before April 24, one analyst broke down which team could end up as the victor.
Pittsburgh Steelers or New Orleans Saints — Where Does Aaron Rodgers Go?
The 2024 season was objectively one of the worst in Rodgers’ historic career. Winning just five games with the New York Jets, his passer rating and average yards per attempt were among the worst of his 20-year NFL run.
Now, he’s on the lookout for a new team, and Ian Rapoport had his theories on how that could eventually shake out. On an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rapoport broke down the chances of Rodgers signing with either the Steelers or the Saints.
First, it was the team that seemingly joined the party out of nowhere — the New Orleans Saints. “If you’re Aaron Rodgers, would you join the Saints, who obviously do have quarterback needs, or join the Steelers?” Rapoport began.
"I still think Aaron Rodgers is more likely to go to the Steelers than the Saints" ~ @RapSheet @OfficialAJHawk asking you that question is certainly something 😂😂 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/3IPr5rNapZ
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 14, 2025
“I think that’s kind of where it is to me. Are the Saints — I think the Saints are going to be better than people believe if they do get a quarterback — but if you’re Aaron Rodgers, doesn’t the Steelers make more sense to you than the Saints do?”
With Pittsburgh, Rodgers would have a stable head coach in Mike Tomlin, who’s among the best in the league and has yet to record a losing season. The defense would be a near-guaranteed success, and the offense features two top-tier wide receivers in George Pickens and the recently acquired DK Metcalf.
On the other hand, New Orleans is among the most cash-strapped teams in the league, with a new head coach in Kellen Moore and without the same infrastructure or culture that the Steelers possess.
Add in the fact that the Saints had no plans to bring Rodgers on board before the surprise injury to Derek Carr, and the situation becomes even more complicated.
However, both teams have to contend with the reality of what Rodgers is now in 2025. A no-doubt first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the all-time greats, his production post-Achilles has been suspect at best — he finished 22nd on PFSN’s QB+ metric last season.
All three quarterbacks who played for these teams last season — Justin Fields (15), Russell Wilson (17), and Derek Carr (11) — ranked at least four spots higher.
While the name value is off the charts, the reality might not be as fascinating as these teams once thought.