(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
We are now four days into NFL free agency, and former Green Bay Packers superstar Aaron Rodgers still hasn’t signed with a team.
The New York Jets officially released him on Wednesday after he spent two disappointing seasons with them. The Rodgers sweepstakes seems to be down to two teams — the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants — while the Minnesota Vikings could be lurking as a spoiler team.
Many feel the Steelers are the favorites to sign the future Hall of Famer. But as Rodgers takes his sweet time, former NFL general manager Doug Whaley feels the four-time MVP is holding Pittsburgh “hostage.”
It is always possible that Rodgers is partly milking the situation in order to enjoy the feeling of being wanted. He is, after all, a free agent for the first time since he entered the league back in 2005.
On the other hand, this is a big decision for him. The Steelers (and Vikings) offer him a chance to play on a winning team for the first time since he left the Packers, but signing with the Giants would mean he could remain in the New York City metropolitan area and not have to look for a new home.
Pittsburgh just traded for star wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, and it could be in the running for former All-Pro wideout Cooper Kupp. But waiting on Rodgers is making it difficult for the team to make other moves.
Rodgers, 41, threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns last season.