Almost exactly 16 years ago — starting in late November of 2008 — Brett Favre’s one-year shotgun marriage to the New York Jets went into the tank. At the time, the Jets were 8-3, squarely in the AFC playoff picture, and coming off a 34-13 win over the Tennessee Titans. But there was also a problem.
Favre’s throwing shoulder was in pain.
Though the franchise wouldn’t know it definitively until an MRI in late December, Favre had taken a hit against the Titans and tore the biceps tendon in his throwing shoulder. It was an injury that would take a season of Favre-mania in New York and turn it inside out — scuttled by a 1-4 finish which saw the Jets quarterback (and presumptive starter the next season) throw two touchdowns against nine interceptions. The Jets missed the postseason, with Favre looking and sounding like he was physically and mentally cooked. Not surprisingly, he told the Jets he was retiring just a few weeks after the conclusion of the season.
And that was that.
Of course, it wasn’t.
Favre’s legendary flip-flopping with his retirement status had one more turn left, and following his release by the Jets in late April of that year, he was drawn back into the NFL fold by the Minnesota Vikings in mid-August. At the time, it was natural to ask what Favre could have left. His season with the Jets, despite earning a Pro Bowl nod, was a roller coaster in the middle of a circus. It ended badly and injured. Then the Vikings came calling.
One year later, Favre put together one of the best seasons of his career, finishing 2009 with 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the Vikings to the NFC title game, where they narrowly lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.
This is a relevant chapter of NFL history right now. Because we’re staring at a fading Aaron Rodgers with the Jets — clearly still not himself after last year’s Achilles repair — and wondering what’s left in the tank for a star who, like Favre before him, is looking physically and mentally cooked in a Jets uniform.
Given the clean sweep firings of the head coach and general manager who courted Rodgers so feverishly to the Jets — and the team owner who reportedly verbalized the idea of benching him early in the season — it’s fair to expect that the end is near for the soon-to-be 41-year-old veteran. Or at the very least, the end with the Jets is near.
But with Rodgers already stating that he wants to play in 2025 — and sources close to him telling Yahoo Sports that he doesn’t want his legacy to be this Jets implosion — it’s worth taking a gander at potential landing spots for Rodgers this offseason. As much as we’re staring at him and certain that he doesn’t have much left to offer, we can’t account for every NFL general manager or head coach who might think otherwise.
With that in mind, here’s what the landscape looks like, with a rationale for and against Rodgers’ next potential landing spot.
Starting with the …
San Francisco 49ers
Why it could happen: Head coach Kyle Shanahan made a call to see if Rodgers was available via trade prior to the 2021 NFL Draft. Shanahan has spoken glowingly about Rodgers on many occasions and has the confidence (arrogance?) to believe he could get one last squeeze out of the future Hall of Famer. Plus, this 49ers team, if fully healthy in 2025, would represent the kind of talented landing spot that turned Favre around for one exquisite post-Jets season. Rodgers also wants to be on a team that can win now. He’s not sticking around to get creamed on a bad team.
Why it won’t happen: Brock Purdy’s extension is still the primary plan for the 49ers right now. And while he’s had some ups and downs this season, he still represents a decade or more of quarterback stability in San Francisco. Unless Purdy falls apart, there’s no reason to risk that on an aging and limited Rodgers — even if Rodgers agreed to play for next to nothing to help the 49ers with their salary cap.
Los Angeles Rams
Why it could happen: Like Shanahan and the 49ers, Sean McVay and the Rams had their own interest in Rodgers in 2021, prior to dealing for Matthew Stafford. There’s some question about whether or not Stafford will be in the fold next season, and the Rams don’t have a clearly logical long-term option at the position. The overall roster isn’t the same quality as San Francisco, but Rodgers has a personal affinity for Los Angeles and there is enough offensive talent to at least have a nice one-season bridge opportunity for both quarterback and team.
Why it won’t happen: The Rams have salary-cap issues, so Rodgers would have to come in for nothing, and the team has shown little interest in rebuilding with anything but younger players. Adding Rodgers would merely be a one-season patch to try and win the Super Bowl in the 2025 season, and the Rams don’t look like they’re equipped for that with or without him. So what would be the point?
Minnesota Vikings
Why it could happen: Because the universe is weird and the Vikings did resurrect Favre so why bet against the planets aligning and history repeating itself? Also, starter Sam Darnold is leaving in free agency for a starter contract elsewhere, and rookie J.J. McCarthy is coming off two offseason knee surgeries and is still learning the playbook and position. Meanwhile, the Vikings' roster would give Rodgers exactly the kind of weapons to recapture a season of greatness, while also sticking it in the eye of the Packers just for fun. So, basically, what Favre did.
Why it won’t happen: There’s little logic in letting go of Darnold in free agency so that you can get moving with the McCarthy plan, then replacing that plan with a Rodgers interruption. The Vikings would be asking for problems and drama.
Seattle Seahawks
Why it could happen: Geno Smith hits a wall this season and the Seahawks fizzle down the stretch, and at some point the team sees that Sam Howell isn’t a viable starter. And some weird form of desperation.
Why it won’t happen: Rodgers isn’t a better option than holding onto Smith for at least one more season and continuing to work with Howell.
Cleveland Browns
Why it could happen: Madness.
Why it won’t happen: Sanity. And the salary cap. And Deshaun Watson hangover. And sanity (yes, I said it twice).
Tennessee Titans
Why it could happen: Desperation from a front office and coaching staff that feels like it basically has 2025 to put a winning season together, and the hope that maybe Will Levis could get something positive by sitting behind Rodgers for a season and rebooting.
Why it won’t happen: Levis is at least playing well enough in losses and showing signs of life, earning one more year of patience and development. Also, Rodgers doesn’t want to be a part of a in-progress build.
Indianapolis Colts
Why it could happen: Same thing I said about the Titans, but plug in Anthony Richardson for Levis.
Why it won’t happen: Same thing I said about the Titans, but plug in Anthony Richardson for Levis.
Las Vegas Raiders
Why it could happen: Mark Davis is a bad team owner who likes shiny things and will be desperate if the Raiders aren’t positioned to draft a quarterback. And maybe minority owner Tom Brady thinks Rodgers has something left.
Why it won’t happen: This is a rebuild and Rodgers isn’t putting his last gasp into a rebuild. Also, Davante Adams has told Rodgers everything he needs to know about the Raiders and their own bad ownership situation with Davis.
Miami Dolphins
Why it could happen: Tua Tagovailoa suffers another concussion that changes the course of his career and he has to sit out the 2025 season — but is also eligible to return in 2026, health permitting. The Dolphins need a one-season fix and have the talent to be attractive to Rodgers.
Why it won’t happen: Tagovailoa won’t get another concussion this season and there is no need for a starting quarterback next year.
Carolina Panthers
Why it could happen: Bryce Young falls apart down the stretch and the Panthers find themselves in a situation where they can’t lure or draft another starter.
Why it won’t happen: Rodgers is in the class of players who couldn’t be lured to Carolina. It’s a rebuild of rebuilds.
New York Giants
Why it could happen: The Giants' coaching staff and front office has to win in 2025 or get swept out, and Rodgers is a better option than the other retreads or rookies available. Pure desperation.
Why it won’t happen: The Giants' ownership, coaching staff and front office has had a front-row seat for Rodgers' stint with the Jets. They know what this looks like. Rodgers won’t be interested in the rebuild. And the Giants will be positioned to draft a quarterback.
New Orleans Saints
Why it could happen: See the Cleveland Browns entry.
Why it won’t happen: See the Cleveland Browns entry and replace Watson’s name with Derek Carr.
Retirement
Why it could happen: It’s probably the best and most realistic option left on the table.
Why it won’t happen: Rodgers can’t go out like this, and will play almost anywhere to make sure the Jets debacle isn’t the last image he leaves in the NFL.
For now, that’s the horizon Rodgers is heading into. Now entering Week 12 of the QB Room …
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