Aaron Rodgers Defended by NFL Exec, Coach amid Criticism, Rumors about Future

Around the NFL, there's still confidence in Aaron Rodgers remaining a capable future starter as the veteran quarterback navigates through free agency.

“He’s on the downside,” an AFC executive told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. “He still has the flashes of arm talent and accuracy. There’s a depreciation of the mobility that made him great, when he was that two-way, run/pass option player on every play. It’s relegated him to being more of a pocket-passing veteran. Do I think he can start for a year? I do. … He still sees the field well, has football intelligence, the quick release. His arm’s not quite what it was but with the right surrounding cast? Yes.”

An AFC defensive coach who faced Rodgers during the 2024 season was also optimistic about the signal-caller's 2025 outlook.

“I think the guy is still a beast,” the coach said, per Breer. “Mentally and arm-talent-wise, he hasn’t dropped off at all. Now, his mobility and athleticism, of course, isn’t the same as it was 10 years ago. [But] if I’m a team and I need a quarterback right now, I don’t hesitate signing him.”

Rodgers became a free agent after the New York Jets officially released him on Wednesday.

The 41-year-old started all 17 games for the Jets in 2024 after an Achilles tear ended his 2023 campaign in Week 1.

Rodgers showed flashes of his late tenure with the Green Bay Packers in which he won consecutive MVP awards in 2020 and 2021, but he also struggled at times.

He completed 63 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions, while his 48.0 QBR ranked No. 25 among 32 qualified quarterbacks.

New York ended the year with a 5-12 record, owning the ninth-worst scoring offense in the NFL by averaging a mere 19.9 points per game.

Rodgers is still available on the free-agent market, but it doesn't seem to be due to a lack of interest as he reportedly has several potential suitors.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers "are begging him to sign with them."

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler also reported that the Minnesota Vikings were interested in Rodgers despite their pursuit of the quarterback not considered to be "too heavy."

The four-time MVP's status as a long-term franchise quarterback is over given his age as well as his tumultuous 2024 season, but there's still belief that he can make an impact as a short-term option under center for multiple teams in 2025.