They were right to pursue him. The Giants need a bridge to their quarterback-to-be-drafted later. Aaron Rodgers, on paper, is perfect for the role. He’s a four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion who can still play. That wealth of information is invaluable to whomever the Giants select next month. He could have saved some jobs with his own play in the meantime.
It’s become clear that, right now, the Giants are not what Rodgers wants, though. That’s why, weeks after he could have signed, he hasn’t. That’s why he seems hellbent on finding any other opportunity. That’s why he visited the Steelers on Friday, not the Giants, despite New York having such overwhelming interest.
So, Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll pivoted themselves.
Jameis Winston is officially a Giant, sources confirmed to SNY.
If Rodgers dialed up the 201 area code on Saturday and told Schoen and Daboll he wanted to accept their offer … that deal would be there to take. The Giants did not yank their contract to him after Winston accepted his. Their quarterback room, before this signing, had just Tommy DeVito in it. Now, there’s someone who’s been there and done that. They’ll be in on Rodgers until he signs with someone else.
But, in all likelihood, that call from Rodgers won’t come. New York has seriously improved their defense this offseason thanks to the additions of Paulson Adebo and Jevon Holland. They have their picks to add to their offense. They should be a better team next year than last. But there was nothing Schoen could have done this offseason to make New York a contender. That’s with Rodgers or without.
Rodgers is 41. He just spent two years getting beat up with the cross-town Jets. Does he really want to do that again?
That’s why a signing always seemed logically one-sided. The Giants were right to want him. Rodgers was justified in desiring a team closer to contention. If he changes his mind, as he sometimes does, the Giants will wait. In the meantime, they now have a…
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