By Dianna Russini, Jelani Scott, Dan Duggan and Charlotte Carroll
After missing out on Matthew Stafford, the New York Giants are shifting their interest toward another big target in soon-to-be free agent Aaron Rodgers, league sources said.
The Giants have discussed the idea of pursuing Rodgers during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week, per league sources. The news comes after Stafford, a top offseason target for New York, agreed to a restructured deal to stay with the Los Angeles Rams.
While Rodgers, 41, is still under contract with the New York Jets, the club is expected to move on from the veteran quarterback when the 2025 league year begins on March 12. The four-time MVP is not believed to have a robust market, but Rodgers could end up fitting the bill as a stopgap, at the least, in the Giants’ ongoing search for a starting quarterback.
Should the Giants land Rodgers, his arrival could also add an interesting wrinkle to a quarterback room that may feature a top pick in this year’s NFL Draft. New York holds the No. 3 pick and has been linked to top prospects Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward.
Giants could benefit financially from adding Rodgers
Rodgers’ play has declined while distractions around him have increased in recent years. When compared to Stafford, the Giants could benefit because Rodgers’ contract demands should be significantly cheaper, and there will be no draft compensation involved in signing him.
Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his return last season from a torn Achilles that sidelined him for all but four snaps of the 2023 season. The Jets went 5-12 with Rodgers as the starter during a tumultuous 2024 season that led to an organization-wide house cleaning. — Dan Duggan, New York Giants beat writer
Rodgers could be Joe Schoen’s biggest swing yet
On Tuesday, Giants general manager Joe Schoen said he was all for “taking swings” at the quarterback position. Jump to a few days later, and the first at-bat was a strikeout with Stafford staying with the Rams. That’s a better scenario than if Stafford landed in Las Vegas, who made a play for the veteran QB. But the Giants are on to the next, and that is a big name in Rodgers.
We know Schoen is serious about taking swings at the position, and Rodgers would certainly be that after an injury and headlined riddled two years with the Jets. It’d be a fascinating move for Rodgers to stay in town and just switch locker rooms, but the Giants are doing their due diligence as they work to find their next quarterback. — Charlotte Carroll, New York Giants beat writer
Required reading
(Photo: Luke Hales / Getty Images)
