Aaron Rodgers' next destination and
Myles Garrett's future headlined the buzz from the NFL combine
[March 04, 2025]
By ROB MAADDI
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Matthew Stafford chose to stay in Los Angeles.
Deebo Samuel was sent to Washington.
Many NFL players will be on the move when free agency begins next
week and the foundation for a lot of transactions was built at the
scouting combine last week.
While 329 college prospects gathered in Indianapolis to showcase
their skills, talk to teams and undergo medical evaluations, front
office executives had plenty of conversations about players on their
rosters and others they plan to pursue either through free agency or
trade.
There was a ton of buzz about several star players, including Aaron
Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Myles Garrett.
Rodgers will become a free agent after the New York Jets release
him. Jets general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn
addressed the decision and insisted the franchise’s goal was to win
now despite moving on from a four-time NFL MVP who had a
disappointing two-year stint in New York.
Garrett, the 2023 AP Defensive Player of the Year, asked the
Cleveland Browns for a trade last month. Browns general manager
Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski insisted the team has no
interest in dealing one of the league’s best edge rushers.
Several teams who need a quarterback are discussing the 41-year-old
Rodgers, Wilson, Sam Darnold and Justin Fields. The New York Giants
and Las Vegas Raiders pursued a potential deal for Stafford and had
to shift their focus after he worked out a new contract with the
Rams.
Rodgers has already said he’d like to play for a team that has a
chance to win and he’d prefer warm weather. That would rule out the
Giants but there’s mutual interest between both sides, two people
with knowledge of the conversations told The Associated Press.
The Raiders would be an option for Rodgers if coaches believe he
could fit into offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s system. A team
official told the AP that evaluation hasn’t been made yet. The
person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the conversations
are private, also said a reunion between Wilson and new Raiders
coach Pete Carroll is unlikely. Darnold or Fields might be better
fits for Las Vegas, which might select a quarterback with the sixth
overall pick in the draft.
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Some teams are still uncertain about Darnold, who
had a breakout season with the Minnesota Vikings. Darnold led the
Vikings to 14 wins but struggled in the final two games with the No.
1 seed on the line and then in a wild-card playoff game.
The Tennessee Titans, who own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft,
need a starting quarterback. So do the Browns at No. 2 and Giants at
No. 3. The Jets, who pick seventh, said they’d be comfortable with
Tyrod Taylor but should seek another veteran and are expected to
draft a QB in the early rounds.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will try to retain Wilson or Fields or seek
a veteran. Rodgers and Darnold are possibilities.
If the Browns decide to grant Garrett his request and field offers,
the two teams who battled in the NFC championship game could end up
fighting for his services.
The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles aren’t afraid to make a
big splash. General manager Howie Roseman signed Saquon Barkley last
year and he’s a master dealmaker. The Commanders already added
Samuel and only gave up a fifth-round pick so they have an
opportunity to pursue Garrett.
Some big-name receivers could join Samuel on the move, though
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins aren’t expected to be among them. The
Cincinnati Bengals made it clear they plan to keep Joe Burrow’s top
playmakers.
But there was talk about the Seattle Seahawks possibly trading DK
Metcalf. The Raiders and Green Bay Packers are potential fits.
Stefon Diggs and Amari Cooper will be free agents. Both veterans
will have options. Chris Godwin is coming off a serious ankle injury
and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers want him back but the price has to be
right.
The NFL offseason is just getting started.
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