That Big Vikings Idea? It Would’ve Lasted Just 1 Year
Remember the Aaron Rodgers saga for the Minnesota Vikings in March and April? A will-they-or-won’t-they regarding his free agency?
Aaron Rodgers said this week he’ll play just one more NFL season. And the big, popular Vikings theory would’ve lasted that long. A year.
Had the Vikings taken the plunge with Rodgers, the arrangement would’ve lasted one season.
Thanks to Rodgers personally, folks learned his plan for 2025 and beyond.
Aaron Rodgers Will Play Just One More Season
Rodgers signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this month after an inordinately long wooing process. He joined The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, revealing his one-year plan.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure this is it. That’s why we just did a one-year deal. Steelers didn’t need to put any extra years on that or anything, so this was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I’ve had,” Rodgers told McAfee.
“I played 20 fricking years. It’s been a long run. I’ve enjoyed it, and no better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL with Mike Tomlin and a great group of leadership and great guys in the city that expects you to win.”
The man has one more run left in him.
Rodgers continued, “I love the game, and there’s been a beautiful relationship. It was my first love when I was 6 years old, dreaming about playing quarterback and being in the Super Bowl and winning in the Super Bowl. I wanted to be there for minicamp once I decided I was going to be all-in, but I didn’t need this. I didn’t need it at all.”
“I don’t feel the need to prove anything to anybody, or don’t have any chip on my shoulder. I don’t want the attention. I’m going to give the Steelers everything that I got and empty the tank and be super comfortable and satisfied with whatever happens.”
What Could Have Been for Aaron Rodgers and the Vikings?
Had Aaron Rodgers turned purple this offseason, the connection seemed on track for a one-year agreement.
The Offseason Flirtation with Vikings
Back in March, the idea of Rodgers joining the Vikings became glaringly hot. Minnesota’s brass did its due diligence about what a Rodgers relationship would look like, but ultimately relented.
Rodgers reportedly pitched the Vikings on a one-year sprint toward the Super Bowl, reporting that now feels vindicated because Rodgers revealed his — you guessed it — one-year plan to McAfee.
Rodgers and the Vikings would’ve danced for one season. Hell or high water.
Minnesota Chooses J.J. McCarthy Instead
Why did Minnesota hold off on Rodgers? Simple — it drafted J.J. McCarthy in 2024, and had the Vikings sat on him for another year, he’d have just two affordable years on his rookie contract before paying his handsome fifth-year option.
McCarthy has wowed Vikings leaders behind the scenes, and they’re comfortable with him taking the baton as early as now, even if the Rodgers proposal piqued their interest.
Similar 2025 Outlooks
Ironically, Minnesota and Pittsburgh are slated to win 8.5 games apiece, according to oddsmakers. In separate conferences, with uniquely different schedules, Rodgers’ two most realistic options for 2025 involved decent-but-n0t-great teams in 2025.
Vegas expects Pittsburgh and Minnesota to finish around 9-8 or 8-9. The 9-8 record would not be unique for Pittsburgh fans.
More from ESPN on Rodgers
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor also added Rodgers context on Tuesday: “Rodgers, 41, is the Packers’ franchise leader in touchdown passes (475), completion percentage (65.3) and passer rating (103.6) and ranks second behind only Brett Favre in passing yards (59,055) and completions (5,001).”
“After a prolonged decision-making process where he pondered retirement, Rodgers signed a one-year, $13.65 million deal just before reporting to mandatory minicamp this month. Rodgers elected to sign with the Steelers after being released by the New York Jets following a tumultuous two-year stint. He tore his Achilles just a handful of snaps into the 2023 season and then went 5-12 and missed the playoffs in 2024.”
The Vikings will face Rodgers and the Steelers in Dublin in 95 days.
Pryor added, “The Jets will host the Steelers in a Week 1 showdown Sept. 7. Rodgers will face Green Bay for the first time this season in Week 8 on ‘Sunday Night Football.’ Rodgers’ decision to play one more year, though, wasn’t dictated by a desire to go out with a better ending, he said Tuesday.”
“For Rodgers, the draw of playing in Pittsburgh started with Tomlin. Rodgers said the two talked weekly while he was deciding on his future, and Tomlin’s patience and respect for Rodgers’ process endeared him to the coach. Rodgers said he also attended a cookout at Tomlin’s house the weekend after signing his contract.”
So, always remember, the Rodgers experiment in Minnesota would’ve been a one-hit wonder. From the man’s lips.
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