Rapoport: Don’t Rule Out Saints in Aaron Rodgers Sweepstakes
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport believes the New Orleans Saints are still in an option in the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have remained confident that they’ll eventually land Aaron Rodgers. But NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport isn’t ready to rule out the New Orleans Saints quite yet.
Last Friday, news broke that Saints quarterback Derek Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for the 2025 season. Rapoport believes that could result in the Saints making a strong push for Rodgers.
“I believe it would be an option. He couldn’t make a lot of money there, but I believe they could work something out if they wanted to,” Rapoport said on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “I think the Saints are going to be better than people believe if they do get a quarterback.”
New Orleans could a dark horse in the Rodgers sweepstakes. If Rodgers is trying to win now, joining the NFC South could make more sense as it will likely be a much easier division to win than the AFC North. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the division three years in a row with 10 or less wins.
However, the Steelers could still give Rodgers a chance to compete while also giving him the payday he is looking for. They find themselves in a much better financial situation with about $31.5 million in salary cap space, per Over The Cap.
That is why Rapoport thinks Rodgers will still eventually land in Pittsburgh.
“If you’re Aaron Rodgers, would you rather join the Saints, who obviously do have a quarterback need, or join the Steelers? I think that’s kind of where it is,” Rapoport said. “Doesn’t the Steelers make more sense to you than the Saints do?”
It’s still unclear when Rodgers will finally make his decision, but many, including Rapoport, believe the Steelers have an unspoken deadline of the 2025 NFL Draft, which kicks off on April 24.
If that’s true, Rodgers has 10 days to decide or his decision could be made for him.