On Saturday, one of the most significant offseasons in New Orleans Saints history got even more newsworthy with the sudden retirement of quarterback Derek Carr.
According to the team, Carr picked up a shoulder injury during off-season workouts, with MRIs showing a labral tear and “significant degenerative changes” to the rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. Carr explored his options and chose to retire over getting surgery to try and fix the injuries.
The Saints were expecting a competition between Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and 2025 second round pick Tyler Shough to determine 2025’s starting quarterback, but they're now officially looking for their quarterback of the future.
Aaron Rodgers understandably is linked to the Saints
However, when the news of Carr’s retirement broke, prominent names in NFL media like Robert Griffin III and Matthew Berry floated the idea of the Saints signing former New York Jet and current free agent Aaron Rodgers. It would be a splashy move for the Saints, as Rodgers’ free agency has been a major news item in the NFL.
Rodgers is a sure-fire Hall of Famer and a Super Bowl winner, and has said in one of his several interviews during this off-season that he would sign for as little as $10 million. The 41-year-old Rodgers would also benefit from his home stadium being a dome for the first time in his career, instead of the outdoor stadiums he played in during his time in Green Bay and New York.
Saints head coach Kellen Moore stated that the team was “ready if the opportunity presents itself” to add a veteran to the QB room. With two unknown quantities fighting for the spot, it would make sense for pundits to link Rodgers to the Saints.
Negatives outweigh the positives with Aaron Rodgers
Unfortunately, there are far more negatives that come with signing Aaron Rodgers in 2025 than positives, the first being his age. While many jokes have been made about rookie Tyler Shough’s age - What do you call someone who spent seven years in college? You call them Doctor! - Rodgers' future is far less certain.
According to Rodgers himself, retirement was in his mind while he was in his infamous Darkness Retreat before joining the Jets in 2023. He unforgettably ruptured his Achilles four plays into his Jets tenure and missed the rest of the 2023 season, despite his own hopes to come back later in that year. Rodgers returned in 2024 and had a solid statistical year, throwing for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns, but the Jets went 5-12 despite the solid numbers.
Rodgers has spoken about retirement this offseason but has been heavily linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers, as they have their own issues at the quarterback position. Even if Rodgers were to come in as Saints quarterback, the team would likely find themselves in the same quarterback hunt within the next three years.
There's also the issue of Rodgers and his takeover mentality when it comes to entering new cities. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but since leaving Green Bay, Rodgers doesn't even seem interested in trying to learn a new offense.
Aaron Rodgers never comes to a new city alone, as he brings his own offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackett (of Denver Broncos infamy), and his own weapons in Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard as he did in New York. He even had the Jets sign Tim Boyle as a backup quarterback, a friend of Rodgers who has logged 5 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 6 NFL seasons.
For a team already implementing a new system under new head coach Kellen Moore, bringing in a quarterback who has no interest in doing off-season workouts or learning a new scheme would be setting both quarterback and coach up to fail. The Jets realized this after they hired Aaron Glenn as their new head coach, and moved on from Rodgers after two tumultuous seasons.
Rodgers' diminishing success
The most important reason to stay away from Rodgers is the fact that despite his resume, he hasn't contributed to winning football in a number of years. The Jets missed the playoffs in both seasons of Rodgers' tenure. In Rodgers' last year in Green Bay, the Packers went 8-9 and missed the playoffs. In 2021, the Packers went 13-3 and were the NFC’s one seed, but lost to the 49ers at home in the divisional round in a paltry 13-10 game. Rodgers has not won a playoff game since the 2020 season.
For context, the day after Aaron Rodgers' last playoff win was the Saints’ most recent playoff game, and the last game of Drew Brees’ career. Rodgers has not been a winner in the big spots in a long time, and that wouldn't change in New Orleans.
While it would be a high-profile move to make, the Saints should stay away from Aaron Rodgers. Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler are unknown quantities. But what we know about Aaron Rodgers in 2025 doesn't excite me and does not make me want the Saints to push for him. Shough and Rattler are younger, cheaper, and much less demanding than Rodgers would be as the starter. The Saints need to avoid the temptation and avoid Aaron Rodgers at all costs.