Not minutes after the Jets officially announced they were parting ways with Aaron Rodgers, the discussion about where he plays next kicked into high gear. And as you might expect, the Raiders are at the top of that discussion.
Nick Shook of NFL media put together a list of the top four potential landing spots for Rodgers. And unsurprisingly, the Raiders were the first team on it.
This pairing actually makes sense for a few reasons: Tom Brady’s minority ownership seems to carry a ton of influence over the organization, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he pushed the Raiders to pursue a fellow legend who, like Brady, needed a new home to finish out his career. The Raiders have a new regime led by Pete Carroll with zero connection to Aidan O’Connell, clearing a path for them to pursue a new signal-caller, but because they won their way out of a top-five pick, it’s less certain they’ll land one in this draft than it was in early December. Why not add a bridge in Rodgers for a one-year stint to protect against the situation they found themselves in last season? Sure, it’ll attract attention, but the Raiders have never been a shy franchise. Plus, it’ll likely go better than that one-year trial went with Matt Schaub back in 2014.
The Matt Schaub mention is pretty out of left field here. Talk about jumping the wayback machine for a reach in logic. But anyway…
The other three teams Shook listed were the Giants, Browns, and Steelers, in that order.
When the reports of Rodgers and the Jets splitting were swirling earlier this week, there were odds already being put out and the Raiders were number two on that list behind the Steelers.
AARON RODGERS NEXT TEAM ODDS ARE LIVE
Favored to land in Pittsburgh. What’s the play?
(Via @DKSportsbook) pic.twitter.com/VEy5nQYL4J
— br_betting (@br_betting) February 11, 2025
Rodgers spent two seasons with the Jets. He was lost for his first season after three snaps and came back to start all 17 games last season. Still, at the age of 41, it’s hard to say how much he has left to offer. I mean, aside from a whole lot of drama and annual retreats to decide whether he wants to keep playing. The Jets decided they’d had enough and will be paying him a combined $49 million over the next two seasons to go away.
Seems odd to think any team would be jumping at the chance to work with him at this point. And the last thing the Raiders need is another bridge QB. They need a potential long term answer.