Giants Rumors: Aaron Rodgers Contract Not a 'Slam Dunk'; NY May Target Russell Wilson

The New York Giants may have to pivot from one old, past-his-prime quarterback in free agency to a different old and past-his-prime quarterback.

According to multiple reports, the Giants' quest to potentially sign Aaron Rodgers is hardly a foregone conclusion, with Russell Wilson a possible backup plan:

Albert Breer of SI.com added on Sunday that the Giants "are in on Rodgers, and remain his most likely destination—they'd likely pair him with a rookie drafted somewhere in the top 100, if they do wind up landing him. Minnesota is lurking on Rodgers, in the event that [Daniel] Jones bolts."

The shifting betting odds on Rodgers' next destination seem to reflect such reporting:

Right now, the quarterback musical chairs appear to look something like this: Sam Darnold is the top option on the board in free agency and likely will be the first player signed. The Seattle Seahawks "loom as the favorite" after trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, per Breer, but basically every quarterback-needy team will likely check in.

Justin Fields will then be the next domino to fall, and a return to Pittsburgh feels like the most likely outcome, with Breer noting that the Steelers "have worked on getting a Fields contract done, and this is one that’ll likely come down to money and opportunity."

And then after that, players like Rodgers, Wilson, Jones, Carson Wentz and Jameis Winston, among others, will start changing addresses. There's also the curious case of Kirk Cousins, who would have suitors if the Atlanta Falcons are willing to trade him (and eat $65 million in dead cap in the process).

As a short-term rental, the Giants could do worse than Rodgers. The 41-year-old threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last year and would undoubtedly be an upgrade over the team's 2024 options like Jones and Tommy DeVito.

But there are other concerns. If Rodgers is insistent on bringing his old buds like Davante Adams and Allen Lazard to the Giants, for instance, the team could risk alienating the one exciting playmaker they have in Malik Nabers. Garrett Wilson ultimately lost targets to Adams last season with the Jets—replicating that with Nabers would be a mistake.

Wilson would be a downgrade on Rodgers but an upgrade over the options from a season ago. The 36-year-old threw for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in 11 games, helping to lead the Steelers to the playoffs, and he still throws a nice deep ball. His combination with Nabers could be a solid pairing.

Unless the Giants are able to get into the Darnold or Fields' business, Rodgers or Wilson remain their best-cast scenario for 2025.