Aaron Rodgers made it unmistakably clear that he has no plans to join the New Orleans Saints, despite ongoing rumors thrusting his name into the team‘s quarterback search. The four-time NFL MVP delivered this verdict during a fan Q&A at a concert in Texas, lightheartedly explaining his reason for rejecting the possibility.
The Saints currently face a quarterback crisis following Derek Carr’s retirement and an injury to Jake Haener. As a result, Rodgers’ name quickly became a frontrunner among reported options, but the veteran quarterback promptly ended speculation with a simple, straight answer.
“No. That’s the answer,” Rodgers said. “No. I’ve played there a couple times. But no. The answer is no. I’m too old. I don’t want to live in Louisiana. Sorry.”
With his candid reply, Rodgers made it evident that a move to New Orleans is off the table. This leaves the Saints hoping for a breakthrough from rookie quarterbacks Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler, as the team looks to fill the void at the most critical position.
Steelers seen as likely landing spot for Rodgers amid backup plan talks
The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be the leading contender to sign Aaron Rodgers, bolstered by Rodgers’ offseason visit to their facilities and clear interest from the organization. However, the Steelers are hedging their bets by scouting alternative options at quarterback as Rodgers weighs his decision.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Steelers have targeted Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins as a fallback plan should Rodgers not finalize a deal.
“Rodgers is Plan A, but Cousins could be a viable Plan B,” Fowler said on SportsCenter on Friday. “After making some calls today, I do believe he’s been on their radar. If something were to fall through with Rodgers, certainly they could reconvene, call Atlanta, and see if they could shake something out. But right now, Rodgers is their guy.”
Despite not being publicly available for trade, the Falcons have expressed willingness to entertain offers for Cousins, seeking a team that can absorb about $20 million of his remaining $45 million contract. So far, no team has taken the leap.
Rodgers adds to speculation with cryptic mention of Chicago
Adding another layer to the quarterback shuffle, Rodgers teased a possible connection to Chicago during the same Texas event. When asked if he might play for the Bears, Rodgers remarked jokingly about a potential road trip to the city.
“I believe there’s a team that might play in Chicago this year. Road trip. I don’t know, not sure. Will have to check it out.”
Last season, Rodgers completed 3,897 passing yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over 17 games with the New York Jets, continuing to demonstrate that he remains a productive player despite the uncertainty surrounding his next team.
Implications of Rodgers’ refusal and next steps in AFC quarterback search
Rodgers’ dismissal of the Saints as a destination significantly narrows the field and puts added pressure on the team’s young quarterbacks to rise to the occasion this season. Meanwhile, the Steelers’ strategic planning signals they want to secure a strong quarterback option regardless of Rodgers’ ultimate choice.
The saga also illustrates the fluid and tense nature of the NFL’s offseason quarterback market, where multiple teams jockey for position and players like Rodgers maintain an ambiguous stance. Fans and analysts will keep a close eye on all developments, especially as Rodgers’ final decision is expected to shape playoff hopefuls and league dynamics in the months ahead.