Vikings Named “Best Landing Spot” for 10-Time Pro Bowler
It was probably inevitable that the Minnesota Vikings would be whispered in Aaron Rodgers’ rumor mill, and in mid-January, here we are.
Vikings Named “Best Landing Spot” for 10-Time Pro Bowler
Rodgers could retire this offseason, rejoin the New York Jets, or sign with a team. Those are his options. And according to Bleacher Report, the Vikings are Rodgers’ best theoretical landing spot.
BR’s Kristopher Knox explained on Wednesday in an article about the best and worst landing spots for quarterbacks on the move: “While this scenario is highly unlikely, following Brett Favre’s Green Bay-to-New-York-to-Minnesota path could be the best possible outcome for Rodgers. If the 41-year-old decides to extend his NFL career, it’ll be to ensure that the Jets debacle isn’t his final chapter. He won’t come back to lead another directionless franchise. He’ll want to play for a contender, and there aren’t many that will consider employing him.”
Minnesota drafted quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick last April, and most expect the 22-year-old to start in 2025, especially if Sam Darnold joins a new team via free agency or franchise-tag-and-trade.
“The Vikings theoretically could have an opening if they part with both Darnold and Jones while deciding that McCarthy needs another year as an understudy. Minnesota has a strong enough offensive cast to support Rodgers, while the veteran has stated that he’s open to mentoring a young quarterback,” Knox continued.
Because Brett Favre left the Packers in 2008, became a Jet for a year, and later joined the Vikings, Rodgers-to-Vikings theories have been present for two years. Think of it as history repeating — or so goes the theory.
“Is this a likely pairing? No. Should the Vikings want their young signal-caller apprenticing under one of the biggest distractions in football? Probably not,” Knox added. “However, barring a massive surprise — like Stafford retiring or the 49ers deciding to dump Brock Purdy — Minnesota might represent Rodgers’ best shot at ending his career with a playoff run.”
In recent years, Rodgers has exhibited a conspiratorial, bombastic, and headline-seeking personality, so it feels unlikely that the current iteration of Vikings, known for amicable team culture, would sign up for the Rodgers experience.
However, if an injury, for example, arose to McCarthy, perhaps that idea would change.
Rodgers threw for 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 2024. His team played terribly for the most part, but it’s worth noting that Rodgers got somewhat hot in the season’s final six weeks.
Every offseason, at least one former Packers player seems to join the Vikings’ roster. Aaron Jones and Za’Darius Smith are recent examples.
Rodgers will turn 42 next December.
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 Vikings 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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