Aaron Rodgers to Vikings Still Alive for Some
For the most part, Minnesota Vikings fans have moved past the Aaron Rodgers chapter of the 2025 offseason.
Aaron Rodgers to Vikings Still Alive for Some
The 41-year-old evidently prefers Minnesota as his career’s final stop, but Minnesota is committed to 22-year-old J.J. McCarthy, a sensible decision after the Vikings chose McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
But for those still craving Rodgers in Minnesota, one outfit claims the dream is still alive.
The Athletic Won’t Rule out Rodgers to MIN
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis did his damdest to keep Rodgers-Vikings rumors relevant this week after McCarthy revealed Tuesday that Minnesota’s front office and coaching staff hadn’t officially applied the QB1 title to his chest.
“McCarthy has not participated in a team workout since last fall. He’ll have that opportunity this spring and summer, and he seems to understand the magnitude of his performance and disposition. The Vikings have yet to round out their quarterback room with another backup besides Rypien,” Lewis wrote.
“Until that happens, or until Rodgers signs with Pittsburgh (or retires), his fit with Minnesota cannot be ruled out. Again, this underscores the importance of this spring and summer for McCarthy. The Vikings are hoping he solidifies why they picked him at No. 10 over the next few weeks and months.”
The idea would go like this: McCarthy shows up to spring and summer activities and promptly looks wildly unprepared for the QB1 job. Then, because Minnesota had not previously ruled out Rodgers, it called his agent for a one-year patchover job.
The theory operates under the pretense that McCarthy could struggle or reinjure himself, two long shots.
The Rest of the World … Has Ruled It Out
On March 19th, a couple of tweets all but extinguished the Rodgers-Vikings poppycock.
NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero posted to X: “The Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls on J.J. McCarthy, telling other teams they’re moving forward with him as their quarterback, sources say. The team plans to add a veteran. But they’re not pursuing Aaron Rodgers at this time. McCarthy now enters the offseason as QB1.”
“The Vikings continue to explore multiple options for a veteran QB addition, whether through free agency or a trade. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers’ options are now focused on the Steelers and Giants,” Pelissero added.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert added via tweet, “And told the Vikings are not pursuing QB Aaron Rodgers and don’t consider him an option as they move into the next phase of the offseason, as Tom Pelissero, leaving J.J. McCarthy atop the QB depth chart. Again, Rodgers-Vikings was never likely. But it has been discussed.”
Vikings fans and most of the NFL community moved on.
J.J. McCarthy’s Recent Revelation
Meanwhile, McCarthy told Kay Adams this week that the Vikings have not shared explicit QB1 plans with him this offseason. The team wants him to earn the job, and he wants to earn the gig from the team.
“They haven’t told me, and I’m happy they didn’t because I try to earn it every single day. I never want that to be given to me. It’s such a privilege and an opportunity to give me that chance. I’m just gonna make the most of it every single day,” he told Adams.
And that’s the way it should work. The man might even have the juice to oust Rodgers in a summer camp battle if it came down to it.
Rodgers Can Wait — or Sign in PIT
Faced with the cold shoulder from the Vikings — or so most think — Rodgers can sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the “last man standing” in his rumor mill.
The betting market overwhelmingly predicts this outcome, especially because Mason Rudolph is the Steelers’ quarterback alternative.
Rodgers could also wait until the summer or autumn when one starting quarterback is sadly guaranteed to get hurt.
The veteran passer will turn 42 in December.
Longtime Viking Says Goodbye
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.
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