Aaron Rodgers Rumors Heat Up as Saints Emerge as Surprise Contender

New Orleans, Louisiana

With just two weeks remaining before the 2025 NFL Draft, all eyes are on free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose decision on his next team continues to hang in the balance. While the Pittsburgh Steelers remain the presumed favorites to land the four-time MVP, recent developments suggest the New Orleans Saints may be entering the conversation.

Rodgers’ free agency has been marked by patience, and the Steelers appear comfortable waiting for his decision. However, the Minnesota Vikings — who have publicly committed to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy — are also rumored to remain quietly in the hunt.

The plot thickened Friday following reports that Saints quarterback Derek Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury that could keep him sidelined at the start of the 2025 season. With New Orleans suddenly facing uncertainty under center, speculation is mounting that Rodgers could become a viable option.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio believes the Saints are likely to reach out to Rodgers soon. “Expect to see a report, sooner than later, that the Saints have reached out [to Rodgers],” Florio stated. “Whether it goes anywhere remains to be seen. However, New Orleans becomes another option for Rodgers.”

More intriguingly, Florio hinted that Carr’s injury could extend Rodgers’ free agency timeline. Rather than making a decision before the draft, Rodgers may opt to wait until training camps begin to see if any other starting roles open due to injuries around the league.

“The situation further underscores the reality that more opportunities could arise, in time,” Florio wrote. “Players get injured… the right injury at the right time opens a possible door for Rodgers.”

Whether Rodgers ends up in Pittsburgh, Minnesota, New Orleans, or elsewhere, one thing is clear — his decision could impact not just free agency but how multiple teams approach the quarterback position in the upcoming draft.