Before the New York Giants settled on their quarterback plan of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, they were considering another path. They had floated the idea of bringing in one of the league’s top quarterbacks — Aaron Rodgers.
Back in March, an ESPN report said the Giants were one of a few teams waiting for Rodgers to decide after he left the New York Jets. But as time went on, the Giants moved fast.
They went after veterans like Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, and Jameis Winston. Ultimately, they decided to take a chance on a young arm in the 2025 NFL Draft and took Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart with a late first round pick.
Rodgers Chooses Steelers Over Giants — And Says So
Despite the Giants’ interest, Rodgers made his choice known. He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, one last shot at a Super Bowl.
When asked about his talks with the Giants recently, Rodgers was direct. “Here or not play,” he said this week.
The answer was clear — Rodgers didn’t see the Giants as an option for him at this point in his career. He’s all in with the Steelers, even if they’re not considered a top contender in the AFC.
Why Steelers? One Last Playoff Run
The Steelers haven’t been a Super Bowl favorite this season, but they’ve been competitive the last few years. In the last five seasons, they’ve made the playoffs four times, so they’re still a relevant team in the AFC.
For Rodgers, it’s about more than just playing time — it’s about a playoff run. At 41, he knows this could be his last chance to win a championship.
His record speaks for itself. In 20 seasons, he’s been to the playoffs 12 times, all with the Green Bay Packers. In those postseasons, he’s thrown for over 5,000 yards and 45 touchdowns, with only 13 interceptions in nearly 800 attempts.
A Mixed Bag for the Steelers
Rodgers brings a lot of experience, especially in the playoffs, but there are concerns. His last full season was with the Jets in 2024, where he completed 63% of his passes for 3,800 yards and 28 touchdowns. The Jets went 5-12 and missed the playoffs altogether.
Now he’ll replace both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in Pittsburgh. Wilson will be the starter for the Giants in 2025, and Fields will get a third chance with the Jets.
For the Steelers, it’s a gamble. They’re betting he can still play at a high level even if he’s not the MVP he used to be.
What This Means for the Giants?
With Rodgers out of the picture, the Giants have moved forward with their plan. Russell Wilson is expected to be the starter in 2025, and the team is building around his leadership.
The addition of Jaxson Dart gives them depth and a potential long-term solution. While the Giants may have lost out on Rodgers, they’ve positioned themselves for a strong start under Daboll’s direction.