Ex-Jets QB Aaron Rodgers linked to surprise free agent destination

Billy Heyen

Ex-Jets QB Aaron Rodgers linked to surprise free agent destination image

Mark Smith-Imagn Images

For most of the last month, Aaron Rodgers has seemed destined to be a Pittsburgh Steeler.

But what if the former Jets star has found a new option?

That's the latest thinking among NFL analysts. Instead of New York to Pittsburgh, many are now suggesting New York to New Orleans.

CBS Sports analyst Cody Benjamin thinks Rodgers could wind up with the Saints, where Derek Carr is now expected to miss significant time with a throwing shoulder injury.

Here's why:

"Here's the greatest rub, for both Rodgers and the Saints: Unlike the Steelers, the Saints do not play in the AFC North, which includes a pair of justified Super Bowl aspirants in the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals," Benjamin writes. "They play in the NFC South, which over the last three seasons has crowned a champion with these final records: 8-9, 9-8, 10-7."

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That's definitely a fair point.

Rodgers spent last season in the AFC East, a top-heavy division with the Bills, and the Jets went just 5-12.

If the 41-year old is going to keep playing, it makes sense that he'd want to win.

The Saints do have a star wideout in Chris Olave and a star running back in Alvin Kamara.

There could also be intrigue for Rodgers with new Saints head coach Kellen Moore, who is a former offensive coordinator and NFL quarterback.

Certainly a week ago, this wasn't in the cards at all.

Now? Rodgers might have Saint-hood in his future.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle