As OTAs start around the league, teams are hitting the field for the first time since the first few waves of free agency and the draft. As is always the case, there are plenty of new faces in each locker room as teams replace retired players and guys shuffle around the league.
One free agent looms large in the metaphorical pond of available players: Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers is a free agent for the first time in his NFL career following his release from the New York Jets. Should he choose to continue playing, he will potentially have a few options to choose from.
While not every team needs a quarterback, especially not one in his 40s, there is still a market for the four-time MVP. Pittsburgh seems to be the leader in the clubhouse for Rodgers' services, and it may ultimately be just a matter of time to ink the veteran quarterback.
That said, perhaps another team will sneak in to land Rodgers, or he may choose to step away and start his life after football.
An Aaron Rodgers landing spot in every division in the NFL
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers
This is the most likely destination for him. Pittsburgh has been linked to Rodgers since his release, and the team has spent the offseason operating as if the veteran quarterback will be their guy. Prior to the draft, the Steelers released Russell Wilson and let Justin Fields walk in free agency, leaving Skylar Thompson and Mason Rudolph as the only quarterbacks on the roster. They also added Will Howard in the sixth round of April's draft.
For a team that has taken such pride in finishing above .500 in every season of the Mike Tomlin era, none of those guys scream "playoff contender." Pittsburgh did acquire DK Metcalf, who coincidentally spent time working out with Rodgers this spring.
AFC South: Tennessee Titans
This is a fun one. The Titans drafted Cam Ward with the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and still have Will Levis under contract. While this seems like Ward's job to lose, what if the Titans brought in a vet to teach Ward the ways of the NFL?
Teaching Cam Ward the ins and outs of being a pro could be a great investment for the Titans should they choose to consider Rodgers.
AFC West: Las Vegas Raiders
This one made more sense prior to the official start of free agency, as the Raiders were actively courting veteran quarterbacks, most notably Matthew Stafford. When that ultimately fell through, the team landed Geno Smith to lead the quarterback room in Vegas.
For this one to work, it would likely take a season-ending injury to Smith. The Raiders do have Aidan O'Connell on the roster, as well as sixth-round pick Cam Miller, but Rodgers would elevate the team in Geno's hypothetical absence. The rest of the division is set, with Patrick Mahomes, Bo Nix, and Justin Herbert leading their respective teams, so this is the Raiders by default.
AFC East: New York Jets
This one is really not happening. While I could see a path for the Raiders to land Aaron Rodgers, there is virtually zero percent chance that Rodgers goes to the Jets. Still, with Josh Allen at the helm of the Bills, Drake Maye in New England, and Tua Tagovailoa in Miami, this ends up being the most likely remaining option.
NFC East: New York Giants
This is another one that is "the most likely, but still not happening." The Giants have vets Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Tommy Devito to guide first-round pick Jaxson Dart into his first NFL season. Still, Rodgers is a better player than all three options, so maybe?
The NFC East is pretty set at quarterback. Jayden Daniels took the Commanders to the NFC Championship, where he was defeated by Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles, who went on to win the Super Bowl. That leaves the Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott is the established starter, and while Rodgers is arguably better, Mike McCarthy is no longer there to advocate for the guy who won him a Super Bowl in Green Bay.
NFC West: Seattle Seahawks
There was some temptation to put the 49ers in this spot, as the story would have been incredible. After 20 years, San Francisco rights its wrong from the 2005 NFL Draft, bringing Rodgers back home and letting him guide the 49ers to their first title since he was a kid in 1994.
But, after extending Brock Purdy to a monster contract, I couldn't justify that at all. The Rams have an aging quarterback already, and the Cardinals re-upped Kyler Murray through at least 2027. So that leaves Seattle. The Seahawks are in a similar bind as the Giants, having drafted a quarterback and already spending money at the position this offseason. The most likely is Seattle, but not very.
NFC South: Carolina Panthers
With Derek Carr's sudden retirement, Rodgers started being floated to the Saints as an option. Even as he is set to turn 42 later this year, Rodgers is still probably an upgrade over Spencer Rattler or the other options on the Saints roster. That said, Rodgers was asked about the potential of playing for New Orleans, and he shut it down immediately (and harshly).
So, with the Saints out of the picture, the Buccaneers with Baker Mayfield, and the Falcons with Michael Penix and Kirk Cousins, that leaves the Panthers. Carolina briefly pulled the plug on second-year QB Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton before ultimately going back to Young.
Rodgers going to Carolina is also incredibly unlikely, given that he likely doesn't want to play for a rebuild project. Rodgers would be an upgraded veteran presence over Dalton, but the Panthers seem intent on making Young work, so don't count on this one either.
NFC North: Green Bay Packers
Once again, temptation almost got the better of me. Minnesota would make a good amount of sense, with the big weapons, indoor stadium, and familiar opponents. The Vikings have flip-flopped on the Rodgers train several times, as head coach Kevin O'Connell has reportedly spoken with Rodgers this offseason, but the team has been very publicly behind second-year player JJ McCarthy.
Green Bay would be the next most likely choice — not to play, but to retire. Rodgers has said that he is open to retiring as a member of the team that drafted him, where he starred across three decades. Packers front office execs have said the same. So it will ultimately boil down to when.