There Are Only 2 Ways Aaron Rodgers Can Join Vikings
For a few weeks, Aaron Rodgers gripped the Minnesota Vikings rumor mill as the New York Jets parted ways with the 41-year-old after two disappointing seasons.
There Are Only 2 Ways Aaron Rodgers Can Join Vikings
Because Brett Favre played for the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 2007, later joined the Jets, and became a Viking in 2009, onlookers became quite interested in Rodgers’ corresponding career arc, wondering if he’d follow Favre’s direct path.
Over the last week, however, the Vikings have affirmed a commitment to J.J. McCarthy — and only two items could reasonably land Rodgers in the Twin Cities.
J.J. McCarthy Injury or His Profound Struggles
Minnesota drafted McCarthy with the 10th overall pick last year, nominating him as the quarterback of the future after six seasons with Kirk Cousins at the helm. McCarthy then tore his meniscus last August, ending his entire rookie season and creating a forum for Sam Darnold to shine as the Vikings’ QB1.
Darnold departed via free agency three weeks ago, pointing all signals to McCarthy as the next man up at quarterback — until Rodgers expressed interest in signing with Minnesota.
And according to ESPN, a McCarthy injury or regression is the only way that Rodgers could be called up on for purple quarterbacking duty.
Kevin Seifert wrote this week, “Under what scenario would Rodgers become an option for the Vikings? McCarthy would have to demonstrate overwhelming evidence this spring that he will not be ready to play this season, either because of an injury or a complete reversal of the skills and aptitude he demonstrated during his short time in training camp last summer.”
“Consider Rodgers a break-the-glass option in case of an emergency. Otherwise, the Vikings are committed to their plan of getting McCarthy onto the field for the 2025 season.”
So, there you have it: Another McCarthy injury might bring Minnesota back to Rodgers’ table or a totally unforeseen dip in McCarthy’s skill set.
It’s The McCarthy Show Otherwise
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn’t draft McCarthy on a whim or as a “maybe” plan. Minnesota’s front office and coaching staff carefully vetted the Michigan Wolverine, determining his tool kit was perfect for Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
There’s no evidence to suggest Minnesota would change course. In fact, the team watched as Darnold left for the Seattle Seahawks, Nick Mullens skipped town for Jacksonville, and Daniel Jones signed in Indianapolis to compete for a starter’s job.
The seas parted for McCarthy’s ascension, even brushing aside the Rodgers flirtation.
The Plan All Along
Kirk Cousins could not take Minnesota to the Promised Land. Well, nobody has.
Therefore, McCarthy is the next big hope — the player on deck to become the first quarterback successfully drafted by the Vikings to thrive since Daunte Culpepper. And that was 25 years ago.
If the Vikings had no McCarthy on the roster, hopping into the sack with Rodgers might’ve had grand appeal. It’s just that McCarthy was the plan all along, and not even a Hall of Famer in Rodgers could provide a hiccup or detour.
Aaron Rodgers to Steelers
Rodgers trying on the Steelers for size seems inevitable. Either that — or the 41-year-old will retire. No other team, outside of possibly the Cleveland Browns, needs Rodgers’ services in April 2025.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor wrote, “Rodgers left Pittsburgh without agreeing to a contract, but a source with direct knowledge of the situation indicated the Steelers felt positively about the possibility of Rodgers landing with them. Since then, the Steelers have remained ‘engaged’ with Rodgers, the source said. Rodgers was also filmed having a throwing session with Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf over the weekend.”
“As the league’s biggest decision-makers wrapped up their annual meetings Tuesday, however, Rodgers had yet to decide where he will play next season — or if he’ll play at all. Could he pivot off the Steelers and head to his old division rival? Will Tomlin ultimately lure him to the Steel City?”
Pittsburgh or retirement represent Rodgers’ immediate future.
Rodgers to Vikings = Backward Thinking
It’s worth noting that Rodgers to Minnesota never made much sense in the first place. Over the last half-decade or so, he’s turned into the ultimate primadonna quarterback, similar to his Packers predecessor, Brett Favre.
Rodgers thrives on the spotlight, craving attention like an adolescent seeking the cool crowd. His face is always front and center, and as the Vikings have built a pristine locker room culture, tossing Rodgers into the mix always felt incongruent.
He also hasn’t played well since 2021. Pro-Rodgers enthusiasts love to point at his volume stats on a lousy 2024 Jets team, but in reality, he ranked 22nd leaguewide per EPA+CPOE, an efficiency metric used to measure quarterbacks.
The Vikings had the free-agent option to sign a 41-year-old Rodgers or roll with a 22-year-old McCarthy. Adding Rodgers would’ve felt utterly backward and borderline insulting to McCarthy.
Still a Need for QB2
A final note — Minnesota needs a QB2 behind McCarthy if it doesn’t trust Brett Rypien, the only other signal-caller on the roster at the start of April.
Adofo-Mensah is scheduled to receive two compensatory draft picks in 2026, one for Sam Darnold’s exodus and the other because Daniel Jones left. Signing a free-agent passer, such as Joe Flacco, today would wipe on the Jones compensatory pick.
After the draft, though, the Vikings can sign anyone. Those players will not affect the compensatory formula.
Names to monitor? Joe Flacco, Ryan Tannehill, Case Keenum, Drew Lock, and Carson Wentz — all men who will know their role as QB2 and not bring a Rodgers-like QB1 persona.
Vikings Suddenly Have a Roster Mystery
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