The polarizing New York Jets quarterback will likely be on the lookout for finding a new home soon. Could it be the Colts?
According to CBS Sports Cody Benjamin, the Indianapolis Colts are mentioned as a ‘potential landing spot’ for New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers—who will presumably be released soon as his time in the ‘Big Apple’ appears to be nearing an end:
Indianapolis Colts
Pros: The Colts probably aren’t ready to fully give up on Anthony Richardson, so renting Rodgers would enable the former first-rounder, who’s still just 22, to learn behind a proven veteran. With a solid line, perhaps Rodgers could also get them back in the playoff conversation in an iffy division. Oh, and Pat McAfee would almost certainly have nicer things to say about the team!
Cons: Richardson may not be reliable at this stage of his career, but adding Rodgers would delay his on-field opportunities for growth. And would it really improve the Colts as a whole? This team hasn’t made the playoffs in five years, and even if Rodgers was decent, he’d be a short-term Band-Aid at best.
While the Jets under new general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn were initially open to the 41-year-old, 4x NFL MVP returning—under certain stipulations, the polarizing former Green Bay Packers great reportedly refused to comply with New York’s demands to: 1) refrain from appearing on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ in-season, and 2) to not miss OTAs, minicamp, and/or training camp with any personal vacations, sabbaticals, etc.
For a Colts team that has sorely lacked leadership atop recently, it doesn’t seem all that logical to bring in an enigmatic veteran quarterback such as Rodgers—whose off-the-field actions sometimes now seem to indicate that he’s more about himself as an individual and ‘building his brand’ (and spreading his personal ideologies), than the team collectively.
Not to mention, following his season-ending Achilles tear in 2023, he’s started to show his age a little bit and is presumably at least a half step past his prime—as he doesn’t move quite like he used to outside the pocket.
During all 17 starts this past season, Rodgers completed 368 of 584 pass attempts (63.0%) for 3,897 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, and 11 interceptions for the Jets.
One could make the compelling case that even at 41-years-old, Rodgers would be an upgrade to Colts’ 2025 projected starter Anthony Richardson. The soon-to-be 3rd-year quarterback, who’s still only 22-years-old, remains a work-in-progress as a passer—particularly regarding his inconsistent accuracy. Rodgers would likely be an upgrade from a passing efficiency standpoint, but lacks the elite dual-threat ability of Richardson anymore—which would limit the versatility of the Colts’ running game going forward.
The Colts admittedly need some legit competition to actually push Richardson this offseason; however, still with the goal of him ultimately winning the job outright in training camp.
In that regard, Rodgers presents arguably too strong of competition, because he’d likely win the job outright, and the Colts need Richardson to gain the experience and reps, and see what they truly have with him—so the franchise can effectively move forward either way at season-end.
That quarterback competition should come in the form of someone like pending Pittsburgh Steelers free agent Justin Fields. Not someone with a Hall of Fame pedigree like Rodgers, who presumably would only sign with the expectation that he’d be 2025’s full-time starter.
Also, after a recent turnstile at the quarterback position which featured a number of stop-gap veteran attempts, including Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan, the franchise owes it to itself—and its fans, to try to find a long-term franchise quarterback answer again in good faith.
That’s not Rodgers at this very late stage of his prolific playing career.
Thanks, but no thanks.