Since the Jets crashed in 2024, there was just one debate making the rounds. Will the Gang Green continue with their veteran QB, Aaron Rodgers? The answer came pretty soon after the season; the Jets bid adieu to Rodgers. The four-time MVP has a record to always prove his doubters wrong. And he may do it again soon, but where’s he heading to?

The latest buzz tells us it’s the Giants, but that all makes more sense. At least, he wouldn’t even have to pack his bags, as he’s a guy settled in the New York/New Jersey area. This ain’t the first time a quarterback is taking a detour through the Jets before landing with an NFC team. Remember Brett Favre? He also walked the same path. He played one disappointing season with the Jets before signing with the Minnesota Vikings. There, he led them to the NFC Championship Game in 2009. The parallels between Favre’s late-career moves and Rodgers’s current situation are complete reflections.

During the Rich Eisen Show, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer and Rich Eisen had a chat on Rodgers’s potential revenge on the Jets. And that’s by taking the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants as his prime landing options. Breer noted that “the Steelers felt, pretty optimistic yesterday… That they’d be the choice.” While also acknowledging that “the Giants have continued to make a push.” Not to forget Rodgers’s privacy, stating, “this is really going to be up to him.”

Talking of Rodgers’s mindset, Breer drew the key contrast between the two teams, explaining that the Steelers offer “a place that’s established that hasn’t had a losing season in a generation” and a roster with veterans like T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, while the Giants would require Rodgers to be “the final piece” just as he once saw himself for the Jets, adding that “vengeance can be a factor” for Rodgers. While Breer leaned slightly toward Pittsburgh. He said, “if I had to guess right now, I might say the Steelers have a slight edge.”

Going further in the conversation, Eisen noted that Rodgers and Brian Daboll “would mesh right.” And that throwing to a talent like Malik Nabers would certainly be an appealing factor if the Giants opt not to draft a quarterback with the third overall pick. He also pointed out Rodgers’s potential desire to stay in the New York market and the revenge narrative against the Jets. He stated, “He could do for them what I could have done for you if you’d stuck with me.”

Meanwhile, Eisen outlined the Steelers’ advantages, emphasizing their stability compared to the Giants. Explaining that “the Steelers are unlike the Jets in the way that the Giants are kind of like the Jets where if Rodgers doesn’t do it, the whole house is cleaned. Everybody’s job depends on him—not so with the Steelers.”

Breer agreed that both teams are “all in to get him” and are “both optimistic about their chances.” While Eisen raised the important question, “What is the plan B for each team?” Breer responded that for the Giants, fallback options could include Russell Wilson, recalling that “they had him in for a visit last year,” or looking to the draft. However, he acknowledged the challenge of not controlling their situation, saying, “hope isn’t a plan.” The Steelers’ contingency plan, however, remained “murkier” to him.

After the New York Jets moved on to Justin Fields, he may see this as a point to avenge. The Jets acquired Fields, officially closing the door on Rodgers. We all thought Aaron was supposed to be their long-term player before his injury in the 2023 season. Rodgers won’t be letting this slide away that easily. He will bounce back with their in-city rivals, the New York Giants, to show the Jets what they missed out on. Playing in the same media market would allow Rodgers to make his case directly in front of the fanbase and press that once welcomed him as the Jets’ savior.

The Giants offer Rodgers more than a convenient location, they come with a better offense. Compared to last season’s struggles across town, the Giants’ roster features a healthier offensive line and a supporting cast that could get even stronger if they select LSU star wide receiver Malik Nabers in the draft. With the right pieces in place, Rodgers would be stepping into a system built for immediate success. But the biggest question remains: Is New York still the place for him?

Beyond the revenge plan, Rodgers naturally has a competitive personality. That’s why he matches well with HC Daboll, who displays a fiery demeanor and strong offensive acumen. Daboll also has experience working with veteran QBs and maximizing their potential.

The thing about Aaron Rodgers is that he plays his cards close to the vest. Teams, media, and fans are all left guessing. As he usually does, ‘Aaron is kind of private about his own feelings on this.‘ Whether it’s contract talks, trade rumors, or even just his offseason plans, he moves at his own pace. So, until he makes the call, only Aaron knows what he’s going to do.

But one wonders, how did young Fields become the Jets’ choice over Rodgers?

Jets’ QB dilemma: Why Fields won out over Rodgers

The Jets’ move from Rodgers to Justin Fields is quite a major shift in their game philosophy. We all thought Rodgers would stay for the long term. However, his injury concerns and age made it difficult for the Jets to rely on him. Justin Fields, on the other hand, provides youth, athleticism, and a fresh start for an organization that always struggles with quarterback consistency. Acquiring Fields is a calculated gamble, making sure his upside outweighs the risk of developing him further.

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s system struggled to adapt to the QBs on the roster last season, but Fields’s mobility adds a new dynamic. He can extend plays with his legs and create opportunities even when the offensive line struggles. If the Jets adjust their scheme to incorporate more designed quarterback runs and rollouts, Fields could provide an immediate spark. Pairing him with wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall gives the Jets an exciting young core that can grow together.

Financially, moving forward with Fields makes sense for the Jets. Rodgers’s contract, while restructured, still carried significant cap implications, and keeping him would have required further financial maneuvering. Fields allows the Jets to allocate resources elsewhere, particularly toward improving the offensive line and adding more weapons. The team can now build around Fields without the burden of a massive quarterback contract. This provides greater roster flexibility moving forward.

Rodgers’s departure also shifts the Jets’ future outlook. With Fields at the helm, the franchise is entering a new era, one focused on long-term development rather than short-term contention. This move acknowledges that the Rodgers experiment did not pan out due to circumstances beyond the team’s control. The sudden change might frustrate some fans. However, others may view it as the right decision to ensure the Jets remain competitive in the AFC East for years to come.

Aaron Rodgers’s potential move to the Giants would be about more than just football—it would be a statement. The Jets have chosen to move on, embracing a future with Justin Fields. However, Rodgers may want to remind them of what they walked away from. The Giants, desperate for quarterback stability and a chance to stay relevant, could be the perfect landing spot. Whether Rodgers’s revenge tour materializes or Fields proves to be the answer, the 2025 season promises to be a dramatic one for both New York teams.