The New York Giants officially won’t be signing Aaron Rodgers in 2025 NFL free agency, not after adding a second proven veteran to their evolving quarterback depth chart.
Big Blue followed the deal to sign 31-year-old Jameis Winston by agreeing terms on a contract with Russell Wilson on Tuesday, March 25. It’s a contract “worth up to $21 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
ESPN Sources: The Giants and Super Bowl-winning QB Russell Wilson reached agreement today on a one-year deal worth up to $21 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed. The 10-time Pro-Bowl selection had been in discussions with the Giants, Browns and Steelers, but is opting for
Wilson’s arrival on starter’s money ends any speculation about Rodgers. As recently, as Monday, the Giants were “still waiting on” the four-time NFL MVP to make a decision about his next destination following a good visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wilson’s former employers, per Schefter’s colleague Jordan Raanan.
After all this, even with Jameis Winston signed, the Giants are still waiting on Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers are doing everything they can to sign him but they all sit there and wait.
No matter how it plays out, the Giants aren’t done at the QB position.
Rodgers is no longer in the frame, but the question now becomes what does Wilson’s arrival mean for the Giants’ plans in this year’s draft?
Opinions Split on Russell Wilson Deal, Giants QB Plans
Signing Wilson so soon after snapping up Winston adds an element of confusion about the Giants strategy at football’s most important position. The uncertainty is reflected in how the move for Wilson has been interpreted by team reporters.
Among them, Dan Duggan of The Athletic thinks it’s “Hard to say” if the Giants will still draft a quarterback. Duggan pointed out “if you go back to 2023 their QB decisions have mostly been head-scratching. That they’ve chased every veteran QB with a pulse would lead you to believe they may not be enamored with these QBs. But on the other hand, Wilson and Winston shouldn’t deter them from doing anything in the draft.”
By contrast, Raanan is a lot more confident the Giants will still dip into this rookie class for QB help. Although he believes the money Wilson is getting indicates “he’s the starter this season,” Raanan also thinks adding the 36-year-old “doesn’t eliminate them taking a QB in the draft.”
While all doors stay open for a team owning the third-overall pick, it’s hard to believe the Giants go quarterback early in this draft. Perhaps they wait until after the first round and opt for a less-heralded, rising rookie.
That would make some sense after the team doubled down on 30-somethings at the position by maintaining their interest in Wilson.
Wilson is hardly the player he once was, but the 10-time Pro Bowler showed glimpses of the old magic with the Steelers last season. He’s a Super Bowl winner still mobile enough to move the pocket and boasting natural arm strength few others can match.
It’s an impressive pedigree, albeit not quite as impressive as the CV boasted by Rodgers.
Aaron Rodgers Wait Didn’t Suit Giants
Waiting on Rodgers has long since become a chore. The will he or won’t he saga hardly suited a rebuilding Giants team desperately needing some certainty at quarterback.
A Wilson and Winston double act provides some security, at least in the short term. Four-time first-team All-Pro Rodgers may not have done the same, given the drama that followed him on and off the field with the New York Jets in 2024.
The 41-year-old would have added a short shot of star power the Giants have lacked at QB1 for too long, but letting the wait drag on was harming their efforts to reinforce other areas. Now, with Wilson on board, more options are open in the draft, including edge-rusher, offensive line and wide receiver.
