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Adam Schefter explains how Matthew Stafford return to Rams impacts Aaron Rodgers free agency

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•about 10 hours•

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Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Now that Matthew Stafford is back with the Los Angeles Rams, Aaron Rodgers has to pivot elsewhere if he plans on playing in 2025.

Since the Rams are no longer an option, it seems like the New York Giants are next up on the list. Heck, Rodgers wouldn’t even have to change stadiums next season.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter explained what’s next in Rodgers’ free agency saga this offseason.

“I don’t think it benefited him in the way that he would have liked,” Schefter said on SportsCenter. “In a perfect world, Aaron Rodgers would have seen Matthew Stafford traded to either the Raiders or the Giants, freeing up the spot in the musical chair world of quarterback carousel in Los Angeles. I think, in a perfect world, Aaron Rodgers would have loved to have stayed where he has a house, play for the Rams. The Rams would have had interest, but the Rams got the deal worked out with Stafford. He stays.” 

The Giants might be the likeliest option, but there’s also the factor of the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the Steelers might stay in house.

“There’s no opening in LA and that means Aaron Rodgers, if he wants to play, is going to have to look elsewhere,” Schefter said. “And that means he’ll have to look at the New York Giants. He’ll have to look at the Pittsburgh Steelers. There’s only so many spots open now. I think both those teams could have some level of interest. 

“The Giants are investigating various options about what they do. The Pittsburgh Steelers are talking primarily right now to Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, but Los Angeles would have been the ideal landing spot for Aaron Rodgers but Matthew Stafford took that spot.”

Rodgers spent two years with the Jets after coming over from the Green Bay Packers, but his first season in New York ended on his first drive of the 2023 season due to an Achilles injury. In 2024, he threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns, along with 11 interceptions – marking two straight full seasons with at least 10 picks.

The Giants moved on from Daniel Jones in the middle of last season and are a candidate to draft a quarterback in April. There could be a scenario where Rodgers is the bridge quarterback to one of Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, should the team go that route.