Apr 30, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks off the court after game one of the 2023 NBA Eastern Conference semifinal playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports.
VikingsTerritory’s Purple Rumor Mill is a two-day chronicle each week. All the week’s rumors are lassoed and plopped in two spots — articles on Saturday and Sunday — for review. Today is the November 24th edition.
Remember — rumors are rumors. What you read on weekends in these pieces is what the world is talking about pertaining to the Vikings, not necessarily items that will come to fruition.
Here’s the second batch of the week. Yesterday’s can be read here.
According to CBS Sports, the Minnesota Vikings are No. 3 on the list of likeliest landing spots for Rodgers.
After retirement — the most obvious option — and the Tennessee Titans, Cody Benjamin listed the purple team as a possible Rodgers place of employment.
“Besides the storybook parallels to Brett Favre, who also went from Packers legend to Jets and Vikings rental to close his career, this one registers as sneakily plausible,” Benjamin explained this week. “The Vikings would surely prefer to re-sign current starter Sam Darnold, who’s fared reasonably well under Kevin O’Connell, but what if Darnold opts for a better-paying gig in 2025 free agency, confidence restored, ready to depart the lurking shadow of first-round pick J.J. McCarthy?”
In all likelihood, Minnesota will hand the QB1 title to McCarthy and roll with it.
Benjamin continued, “Minnesota might still want a placeholder as McCarthy returns from knee surgery, and Rodgers would be getting a ready-made lineup with the best offensive line, skill weapons and defense he’s had in years.”
“Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was in the San Francisco 49ers’ front office when the Niners reportedly tried to land Rodgers in 2021, and he’d also be betting on the vengeance factor, allowing Rodgers to play the Packers at least twice.”
A placeholder would likely involve Sam Darnold again, Nick Mullens, or a Drew Lock type. Rodgers isn’t a placeholder passer, and his next contract — if he doesn’t retire — won’t be team-friendly.
SI.com’s Albert Breer wrote about Van Ginkel’s almost-relationship with the Eagles this week: “I love the Andrew Van Ginkel signing by the Minnesota Vikings — he had another two sacks Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. And maybe this only interests me, but I heard last week prepping for the TNF game that Philly liked him and Zack Baun in free agency, and Van Ginkel wound up being a touch too expensive.”
“Baun’s been excellent for the Eagles, Van Ginkel’s reunion with Brian Flores is going great and Philly’s pro scouting department looks pretty good,” Breer added.
It sounds like Minnesota had competition from one suitor for Van Ginkel — the Eagles.
According to Bleacher Report, an entity already peeking at next offseason, Minnesota will again need assistance at running back, and this time, Adofo-Mensah should onboard Javonte Williams, a halfback from the Denver Broncos whose contract expires after this season.
“The Minnesota Vikings would be an ideal landing spot for Williams. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has regularly used his running backs as threats in the running and passing games — a role for which Williams is well-equipped,” BR’s Kristopher Knox explained.
As it stands, Ty Chandler is the only tailback under contract for Minnesota in 2025. Once again, the Vikings will need a runner from free agency or the draft if they don’t re-up with Jones, who is on pace 1,621 yards from scrimmage.
“In nine games this season, Aaron Jones has tallied 142 carries, 28 receptions, 911 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. He’s well on his way to Pro Bowl-worthy numbers, though the soon-to-be 30-year-old is only under contract for this season,” Knox added.
“Replacing Jones with Williams in the offseason would give Minnesota a young dual-threat back to pair with young signal-caller J.J. McCarthy and an impressive collection of pass-catchers. Joining the Vikings would allow Williams to be the every-down back he seemed destined to be at the start of his career.”
If the Vikings don’t want Aaron Jones back in 2025, Williams would indeed be a wise free-agent option.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.