The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at a crossroads in their pursuit of Aaron Rodgers. What seemed like a straightforward competition has taken an unexpected turn.
The New Orleans Saints might be joining the chase, especially in light of quarterback Derek Carr’s potential season-ending shoulder surgery. With this development, the Saints are in a situation strikingly similar to Pittsburgh’s—a roster seemingly playoff-ready but lacking the right leader to drive them forward.
The allure of landing a quarterback of Rodgers’ caliber is evident for the Saints, who, despite a rocky 5-12 finish last season, boast weapons like Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave. If they decide to open the checkbook and address whatever factors might be keeping Rodgers from committing to Pittsburgh, they could become serious contenders in the quarterback sweepstakes.
New Orleans’ recent struggles in the NFC South, especially with Carr playing only ten games and rookie Spencer Rattler enduring a tough initiation with an 0-6 record as a starter, highlight the urgency to solidify their QB position. It’s apparent they are unwilling to let another season fade away without competitive play, which prompts them to explore every option—including eyeing Rodgers.
In the broader quarterback market, the landscape is shifting. The Cleveland Browns recently took Joe Flacco off the board, narrowing the pool of available veteran quarterbacks. That leaves Kirk Cousins as another possibility, albeit one that requires a trade with the Atlanta Falcons to materialize.
The Saints have multiple avenues to disrupt Pittsburgh’s quarterback aspirations. With the ninth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, New Orleans could decide to invest in a promising young quarterback, potentially pushing the Steelers further down the draft order. In a year when top-tier quarterback talent is thin, this could significantly impact Pittsburgh’s strategy.
Whether Carr opts for surgery or if the Saints aggressively pursue Rodgers remains to be seen. Yet, this situation underscores the age-old lesson in the NFL: Having a concrete plan for the quarterback position by April is essential, as the market can be as unpredictable as the gridiron itself.
