New Aaron Rodgers theory emerges to crank up pressure on Pittsburgh Steelers plan that hinges on veteran
Another door might just have opened for Aaron Rodgers. The legendary NFL quarterback has long been expected to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2025 season. Rodgers has long been linked with the Steelers, but might have another optionGetty But now, the New Orleans Saints could be looking for a new signal caller. Derek Carr announced his shock NFL retirement on Saturday, stepping away from football amid injury issues. His departure leaves 2025 second-round draft pick Tyler Shough, last year’s fourth-round selection Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener, in the Saints’ quarterback room. Rattler and Haener have just seven professional starts between them, and many have suggested that adding a veteran ahead of 2025 would be a smart move. Former NFL star Robert Griffin III agrees, and has urged the Saints to reach out to Rodgers immediately. “The New Orleans Saints need to call Aaron Rodgers,” he began, speaking on his Outta Pocket podcast. “They need to call him for Alvin Kamara, Demario Davis, Cam Jordan, Brandin Cooks, Justin Reid and the ‘Honey Badger’ himself, Tyrann Mathieu. “The reason I say that, is because those veterans don’t have time to go throuhg a rebuild. They don’t have much time left on their NFL clock. “If you’re gonna call a guy that you know can get the job done, that can instil confidence in that locker room, call Aaron Rodgers.” Griffin went on to suggest that in time, Rattler can be a starter for the Saints, but that sitting behind Rodgers would also be an ideal situation for him. Carr has retired from the NFL after 11 seasonsGetty Rodgers could be the man to fill the gap Carr leaves, despite links to the SteelersGetty “Aaron Rodgers is not the cancer in the locker room that people make him out to be,” RGIII continued. “His teammates absolutely love him, swear by him. Look at Jordan Love, he sat behind Rodgers, and he will tell you that Aaron was a great teammate and mentor to him. “(Rodgers) is not going on to come in and shun whoever is behind him, he’s going to take them along for the ride with him. I believe the New Orleans Saints should be thinking about it.” With the Saints urged to sign Rodgers, alarm bells will be ringing in Pittsburgh. No deal has yet been signed – but part-owner Art Rooney II has suggested that an agreement is likely – and the Steelers’ 2025 draft class has seemingly been assembled around the veteran QB. The team passed on a quarterback four times before they selected 24-year-old Ohio prospect Will Howard in the sixth round, demonstrating that they are expecting an imminent arrival. Tomlin’s plan in Pittsburgh hinges on veteran RodgersGetty Pittsburgh could have drafted Sheuder Sanders, Jaxson Dart or Tyler Shough with their 83rd pick, but instead they went with Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. Such decisions make it seem they are confident that they’ll land Rodgers, or that they believe Mason Rudolph is a capable Week 1 starter. It has also been suggested that the Steelers could be priming themselves for a significant move in 2026. Their 12 picks in next year’s draft include one each in the first and second round, three in the third round, two each in the fourth, fifth, sixth round and one in the seventh round. With the 2026 draft loaded with quarterbacks, that’s enough assets to make a move. But if they want to compete this year, they will surely need to bring in an experienced QB to challenge Rudolph for that starting spot. And if Rodgers ends up in New Orleans, the Steelers will be in big trouble. Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our NFL Facebook page, subscribe to our talkSPORT End Zone YouTube channel for all the offseason news, interviews and more
Another door might just have opened for Aaron Rodgers.
The legendary NFL quarterback has long been expected to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2025 season.
But now, the New Orleans Saints could be looking for a new signal caller.
Derek Carr announced his shock NFL retirement on Saturday, stepping away from football amid injury issues.
His departure leaves 2025 second-round draft pick Tyler Shough, last year’s fourth-round selection Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener, in the Saints’ quarterback room.
Rattler and Haener have just seven professional starts between them, and many have suggested that adding a veteran ahead of 2025 would be a smart move.
Former NFL star Robert Griffin III agrees, and has urged the Saints to reach out to Rodgers immediately.
“The New Orleans Saints need to call Aaron Rodgers,” he began, speaking on his Outta Pocket podcast.
“They need to call him for Alvin Kamara, Demario Davis, Cam Jordan, Brandin Cooks, Justin Reid and the ‘Honey Badger’ himself, Tyrann Mathieu.
“The reason I say that, is because those veterans don’t have time to go throuhg a rebuild. They don’t have much time left on their NFL clock.
“If you’re gonna call a guy that you know can get the job done, that can instil confidence in that locker room, call Aaron Rodgers.”
Griffin went on to suggest that in time, Rattler can be a starter for the Saints, but that sitting behind Rodgers would also be an ideal situation for him.
“Aaron Rodgers is not the cancer in the locker room that people make him out to be,” RGIII continued.
“His teammates absolutely love him, swear by him. Look at Jordan Love, he sat behind Rodgers, and he will tell you that Aaron was a great teammate and mentor to him.
“(Rodgers) is not going on to come in and shun whoever is behind him, he’s going to take them along for the ride with him. I believe the New Orleans Saints should be thinking about it.”
With the Saints urged to sign Rodgers, alarm bells will be ringing in Pittsburgh.
No deal has yet been signed – but part-owner Art Rooney II has suggested that an agreement is likely – and the Steelers’ 2025 draft class has seemingly been assembled around the veteran QB.
The team passed on a quarterback four times before they selected 24-year-old Ohio prospect Will Howard in the sixth round, demonstrating that they are expecting an imminent arrival.
Pittsburgh could have drafted Sheuder Sanders, Jaxson Dart or Tyler Shough with their 83rd pick, but instead they went with Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson.
Such decisions make it seem they are confident that they’ll land Rodgers, or that they believe Mason Rudolph is a capable Week 1 starter.
It has also been suggested that the Steelers could be priming themselves for a significant move in 2026.
Their 12 picks in next year’s draft include one each in the first and second round, three in the third round, two each in the fourth, fifth, sixth round and one in the seventh round.
With the 2026 draft loaded with quarterbacks, that’s enough assets to make a move.
But if they want to compete this year, they will surely need to bring in an experienced QB to challenge Rudolph for that starting spot.
And if Rodgers ends up in New Orleans, the Steelers will be in big trouble.
Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our NFL Facebook page, subscribe to our talkSPORT End Zone YouTube channel for all the offseason news, interviews and more
