Is there another twist coming in the Aaron Rodgers free agency saga?
The former Jets quarterback was seemingly headed to either the Steelers or retirement, but news of Derek Carr’s shoulder injury on Friday means there may be another landing spot in play.
“Expect to see a report, sooner [rather] than later, that the Saints have reached out,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote Friday. “Whether it goes anywhere remains to be seen. However, New Orleans becomes another option for Rodgers.”
Carr’s status for 2025 is reportedly in question. And even with New Orleans expected to take a QB in the draft, the Saints depth chart looks awfully thin under center.
Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener saw action at the end of the 2024 season when Carr missed time with broken bones in his hand. And both are still rostered, as is Ben DiNucci. But it’s not clear if the Saints see any of them as viable starting options in 2025?
According to Spotrac, New Orleans has about $27 million in cap space to work with. A sizable chunk could, in theory, be used to land Rodgers.
The 41-year-old is coming off a season in which he threw for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in a disappointing 5-12 Jets campaign.
He’s watched his already limited options dwindle this offseason, as the Giants and Vikings chose other tracks.
The Saints make for an intriguing landing spot for the surefire Hall of Famer, though the team has other options it could look towards, as well: veterans Ryan Tannehill, Teddy Bridgewater and Carson Wentz are all on the market.
Kirk Cousins could also be in the mix, though it’s unlikely New Orleans chooses to bail out a divisional rival from the 36-year-old’s rough contract.
