It’s been over a month, but the Steelers–Rodgers saga is not even close to the shore. The 41-year-old free agent looks like a lucky man enjoying his offseason days while the multi-billion-dollar Steelers organization waits for him. Well, the reason behind his hesitancy in the Steelers’ decision is not rocket science. The world knows what his relationship with the OC and a squad full of veterans would be like if he decided to join. But you know what? What if we tell you that Aaron Rodgers still has the Minnesota Vikings as an option?

Anyone would be shocked to see Aaron going to Minnesota while J.J. McCarthy is there. According to many reports, the 22-year-old is still recovering from an injury and has cut his weight to around 175 lbs. That has made Kevin O’Connell consider a veteran QB like Aaron Rodgers to join the team until OTAs. And if training camp doesn’t go well, the Vikings wouldn’t owe any money, as they would prefer not to sign a free agent with guaranteed money. But the question is, would Rodgers put himself in such a situation?

According to sources, probably not. In a recent podcast episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the star host discussed what Aaron Rodgers might do, using Kirk Cousins as an example. When Colin Cowherd was talking about Rodgers, he said, “I think Aaron’s smart to just [wait]. I would wait till the draft’s over. Want to see where the chips fall. I don’t want to get burned like Kirk Cousins. And I’m gonna sit around if I’m Aaron, and if I don’t get the right offer, I got 20 million bucks.” That’s Cowherd’s style of explaining things.

But to focus on Kirk Cousins’ part, that guy is searching and waiting for an organization like no other veteran since the Falcons signed him. Currently, he is in the second year of his four-year, $180,000,000 contract. There are various reasons why he wants to part ways with the Falcons organization, primarily his desire to play for a team other than the Minnesota Vikings. But what’s the connection he has with Rodgers’s story?

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The 41-year-old QB is still a free agent, but what Colin Cowherd meant was that he doesn’t want to be vulnerable like Kirk Cousins. Rodgers is holding steady, still having an offer from the Steelers. But that’s not the case with Cousins—he doesn’t have many options. In fact, he would only be a backup, according to many sources, as the dead cap goes up to $75,000,000. Who’s going to pay that amount in a year? The Vikings? We don’t think that’s going to happen. So, Aaron Rodgers is trying to avoid the humiliation that Kirk Cousins is going through right now.

Amid all this debate, a new opportunity has opened up for Rodgers. As their QB is not recovering from a shoulder injury, a $5.5 billion franchise has emerged as a new opportunity for Rodgers. Let’s dive deeper into this update.

Is Aaron Rodgers going to land in NOLA?

NBC Sports’ Mike Florio reported Sunday that the New Orleans Saints are struggling due to Derek Carr’s shoulder injury, and Rodgers could get a chance at an opportunity. According to sources, Derek Carr is not likely to return for the 2025 season, and the QB is showing no signs of recovery. That adds one more team to Rodgers’s list of potential landing spots. While the Steelers are still waiting, he could opt for the Saints to potentially end his career.

Carr sustained a hand injury during Week 14’s win against the Giants on December 8, 2024, which was classified as a Grade 1 injury, according to Draft Sharks. Per the same source, Carr has a 29% injury risk. But does Aaron Rodgers’ opportunity depend on whether the Saints bring in Eagles backup Tanner McKee or not? There is also the possibility that Shedeur Sanders could be picked up by the NOLA team.

Let’s see what happens with Aaron Rodgers as the NFL offseason unfolds. So far, he’s reportedly had three potential landing spots: the Steelers, Vikings, and Saints. But it appears he’s in no rush to make a decision. With the NFL Draft approaching, Rodgers might be waiting to see how teams shape up before committing to his next move.