Why Patriots Fans Should Pay Attention To Aaron Rodgers’ Decision

The Patriots have their franchise quarterback, but they’ve surely kept tabs on the offseason market.

Fortunately for those inside One Patriot Place, plenty has broken in their favor.

The reported signings of Sam Darnold (Seahawks), Daniel Jones (Colts) and even Geno Smith (Raiders) didn’t hurt those in New England. It kept the Titans, Browns and Giants — three teams that have higher first-round picks than the Patriots — in need of a quarterback.

It seems the last landmine to avoid ahead of the draft is Aaron Rodgers, who will become a free agent when the NFL’s new league year starts Wednesday afternoon. The four-time NFL MVP reportedly views the Steelers and Giants as “primary options” while the Vikings have been floated as an under-the-radar possibility.

Those at Gillette Stadium probably hope Rodgers doesn’t sign with Big Blue. That could take them out of the running for a quarterback at No. 3 and likely take one of the Patriots’ non-QB targets off the board.

Could New York then shift gears to someone like Russell Wilson if it missed on Rodgers? Sure. But Rodgers feels like a better stopgap option, despite his recent injuries and decline in production. Adding Wilson shouldn’t take New York out of the first-round QB market. Rodgers might.

Rodgers signing with Pittsburgh, which feels like the best spot for both sides, would be great news. If for some reason the 41-year-old decided to venture to Minnesota, with J.J. McCarthy waiting, that wouldn’t hurt the Patriots either. It might even benefit since New York and Pittsburgh then would have to fight over Wilson.

Rodgers is the next card to fall, and could greatly help New England’s hand.