Aaron Rodgers loves making the storyline about himself, and his latest tirade opens the door for the 49ers to benefit in the NFL Draft.
The San Francisco 49ers wisely passed on considering quarterback Aaron Rodgers as a stopgap option when it was clear their top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Trey Lance, wasn't going to work out under center a mere two years after being selected.
After two failed years with the New York Jets, followed by Gang Green ultimately parting ways with him, Rodgers subsequently took to The Pat McAfee Show to call out his former employer in a laughable tirade that likely won't earn the future Hall of Famer too many more fans across the league.
Now fully unemployed, Rodgers is also mulling his future, one that somehow hangs between signing with one of the few suitors who'd take a flier on the controversial quarterback and opting to call it a career.
Rodgers has a history of making the narrative about himself, which should come as no surprise with the 2025 NFL Draft just a week away, which will include more than a handful of quarterback-needy teams searching for answers in a not-so-terrific quarterback class.
The Niners, of course, have little interest in where Rodgers plays in 2025, if at all.
But they should be interested in the ultimate fallout, especially if they can benefit from it.
Aaron Rodgers' suitors may pivot to a QB in NFL Draft, potentially aiding 49ers
San Francisco is not one of the teams in need of a franchise quarterback this spring, at least not with Brock Purdy poised to cash in on a lucrative contract extension.
However, the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and potentially the New Orleans Saints (all drafting ahead of the 49ers), especially following Derek Carr's recent injury developments, may look to grab one of the handful of first- or second-round type of quarterbacking prospects.
The G-Men were seen as possible Rodgers suitors, especially prior to inking veteran signal-caller Russell Wilson to a one-year deal. But neither Wilson, nor a would-be Rodgers signing should fully prevent New York from grabbing a quarterback at No. 3 overall, which would help push more non-QB prospects down the board toward the Niners, who are selecting at No. 11 overall.
Yet another team bears close monitoring: the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Selecting 21st while currently boasting Mason Rudolph atop their depth chart, the Steelers may suddenly recognize a major run on quarterbacks early if Rodgers ultimately decides to call it a career. Or, if Rodgers is playing the waiting game (he might want to do so anyway), Pittsburgh might have no other choice but to trade up, perhaps for the likes of prospect signal-callers like Jaxson Dart or even Jalen Milroe, who'll likely get overdrafted anyway.
If Rodgers is out of the equation, it creates intrigue & movement. Will PIT take QB at 21? Do they trade up above NO? NYG vs CLE to trade above PIT for QB? Lot of wheels in motion & that will make it a fun night. Based on what AR said today, I'd be stoked if I'm Sanders or Dart.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) April 17, 2025
Perhaps with a team like San Francisco, which needs a massive influx of rookie talent after a serious offseason exodus.
A trade-down would have been difficult from the 49ers' vantage point earlier. But, in light of Rodgers' latest comments, trading down potentially became much easier.