The Jets are moving on from Aaron Rodgers. If you're a functional quarterback and the Jets don't want you, you know things are bad, but understandable that a new regime would want to bring in their own guy (who at least will be younger and have less of an ego). Where to for Rodgers now?
He's 41, and it's not a given he'll keep on playing, but let's assume he'd like to end on a somewhat higher note. Considering the guys who took snaps at quarterback around the league last year, it would be wrong to say he wouldn't be an upgrade somewhere. Rodgers was actually the 15th-best fantasy quarterback season, believe it or not (granted, a lot of that production came in meaningless games down the stretch).
Through process of elimination, I'm going to try and determine where Rodgers will sign.
Teams with zero interest: We can pretty quickly come up with a long list of teams who definitely won't be kicking the tires on Rodgers. The ones that already said goodbye (Packers, Jets), and the ones with definite franchise quarterbacks in place (Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, Bengals, Ravens, Broncos, Kansas City, Chargers, Texans, Jaguars, Cowboys, Commanders, Eagles, Lions, 49ers, Rams, Cardinals, Bucs). And also the ones with either probable or possible young franchise quarterbacks in place (Bears, Falcons, Panthers, Vikings). None of those latter four teams are going to stick their recent top-10 pick on the bench for the Rodgers circus. That's 24 teams, leaving us a much more manageable list of eight teams.
Teams with minimal interest, if any: I see three teams who might be interested, but probably not: Seahawks, Saints, Colts. The Seahawks are probably happy with Geno Smith. Rodgers isn't necessarily much better than Smith (if at all) at this point. Rodgers may be better than Carr, but Carr's contract probably makes a move there impossible (and New Orleans couldn't find the cap room to sign Rodgers). There's considerable debate over whether Anthony Richardson is a good NFL starter, or will be, but it's very unlikely the Colts would stick him on the bench to let Rodgers run the offense. Arguably Joe Flacco is as good or better anyway. So we're down to five possible landing spots.
Titans: Tennessee falls into the group of teams who might have an interest, but the feeling wouldn't be mutual. To paraphrase from Apollo 13, a movie I'm quite fond of, What have we got on the roster that's good? Rodgers with a time machine couldn't make this 3-14 roster competitive, and it's hard to see him signing up for what will not be a one-year turnaround.
Raiders: Similar to the Titans, this is a really bad roster. Now, Tom Brady and aging Pete Carroll probably aren't eyeing a five-year plan or anything, but nor are they delusional enough to think they're contending this year in a division where the other three teams all made the playoffs. Well, Carroll might be just that optimistic, but I don't think Rodgers would buy in. But I'll call them the 4th-most likely.
Giants: The humor potential of Rodgers being released by the Jets but playing his home games next season in the same stadium is high. The Giants might have the sorriest quarterback situation in the league (even "might" is being diplomatic), but they have some good pieces on defense and the offensive line, one of the game's best young wideouts, and even a couple of talented running backs. They've got a good offensive mind in head coach Brian Daboll and hey, they were in the playoffs just a couple of years ago. But realistically, probably not.
Steelers: The Steelers might bring back Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, but they also might not really like either one. A report yesterday had them inquiring about Trevor Lawrence, so clearly they'd like to find something else. Pittsburgh is in the tough situation of annually being good enough to barely make the playoffs, but not actually contend for a title (difficult to draft a franchise passer in that situation). If Rodgers wants to go a contending team, maybe. And hey, they wouldn't need to bring in Davante Adams, they've already got a head case alpha wide receiver.
Browns: There have been reports for a while that Deshaun Watson will never start for the Browns again. After re-tearing his Achilles away from the team, he not only might not play at all this year, but the Browns might actually be able to get out of his contract. Something about the Browns and Rodgers just feels right.
I think at least three or possibly four of these five teams will quietly place a call to Rodgers' agent, or Pat McAfee, whichever. Allowing for the possibility (likelihood) that Rodgers has had more than enough time in New York, let's say the AFC North has the edge, with the Browns and Steelers realistic candidates. Tough division, but Rodgers might have just enough confidence/delusion to think he can get one of these teams to the playoffs.
--Andy Richardson