Bold Prediction Connects Vikings to New QB
The Aaron Rodgers theories for the Minnesota Vikings aren’t quite dead yet. Rodgers claimed last summer that the 2025 campaign would be his last, but through seven weeks of the offseason, he’s up to his old tricks, not clearly articulating his future plans. And according to SI.com‘s Conor Orr, Rodgers will end up with the Vikings, a bold prediction as the offseason heats up.
If the Rodgers chatter persists, the Vikings must balance short-term buzz against protecting McCarthy’s long-term development.
Rodgers basked in the spotlight of the Vikings’ rumor mill in 2025. He hasn’t fully left.
The Vikings’ Quarterback Situation Changes Fast Once Rodgers Enters the Talk
The Vikings have about 25 quarterbacks from free agency and via trade to choose from in 2026.
Orr’s Prediction: Rodgers to MIN
Orr crafted one bold prediction per team for the 2026 offseason, and for the Vikings, it’s Rodgers in the saddle.
He explained, “The Vikings will bring in Aaron Rodgers to ‘compete’ with J.J. McCarthy. While it may be just a hunch, I don’t see Rodgers walking away from the chance to pass Peyton Manning on the NFL’s all-time touchdown list.”
“And I don’t see Kevin O’Connell walking away from the chance to add meaningful depth to his roster. While Rodgers and Zach Wilson ended up not being the developmental bridge the Jets had hoped, McCarthy must realize he’s in a similar sink-or-swim situation and can take copious notes.”
Rodgers’ 2025 Campaign
Rodgers posted 3,322 passing yards for the 2025 Steelers inside a run-happy, low-octane offense. He also delivered a 65.7% completion percentage, 24 passing touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions.
The volume numbers were presentable, though, of course, a substantial step back from his Green Bay Packers heyday. Per efficiency, Rodgers ranked as the league’s 19th-best quarterback, putting up an EPA+CPOE in the neighborhood of veteran Jacoby Brissett and rookie Tyler Shough.
If Rodgers signs with the Vikings, fans will merely have to hope that the New York Jets held Rodgers back in 2024 and the Steelers did the same in 2025 with their “boring” offense.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan said about Rodgers on Tuesday, “We certainly welcome Aaron back. It was a good experience with him and really enjoyed getting to know him. He was great to have around. But the reality is, we’re all looking for that next guy, the next 10-to-15-year guy.”
“Look, we’re all in on this. We all agree that we’re looking for that next franchise guy. We’re all excited to work with Will, but we know that has to be addressed. We’re all looking for the same thing. We’re just not there yet.”
A Friendship with Kevin O’Connell
After the Vikings-Rodgers rumor mill faded last offseason, O’Connell and Rodgers later clarified that they’re friends and that they discussed a possible free-agent contract. Both agreed that the talks never went too far, perhaps because former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wanted nothing to do with the Rodgers circus.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter also said this week about Rodgers to Minnesota, “The belief around the league, and let’s preface it by saying it is Aaron Rodgers, and so there are never any absolutes, and things can change like that. But the belief around the league is that he is supposed to give an answer by mid-March.”
“I think the feeling is that he could be back with the Pittsburgh Steelers. If we go back to last year, he wanted to play in Minnesota. That is the interesting one to me, right? I don’t know how Aaron Rodgers feels, I don’t know how the Vikings feel.”
If the Schefter-style comments continue, the Vikings will indeed have back-to-back offseasons with blustery Rodgers fodder.
Schefter added, “And I think the Vikings didn’t want to do it last year because they were being protective of J.J. McCarthy. Do they still feel the same way, or is Aaron Rodgers more in the conversation?”
Stunting McCarthy’s Development? Or Helping It?
Suppose Minnesota takes the plunge with Rodgers. He’d be virtually guaranteed to start. One might ask if that’s good or bad for McCarthy, who enters Year No. 3 as a pro.
In one scenario, the Vikings could plop McCarthy on the bench and ask him to watch and learn behind Rodgers for a year — like Jordan Love in 2020, 2021, and 2022. That plan worked in Green Bay. It’s just there’s very little precedent for a team to veer away from their 1st-Round quarterback after starting him for a season, only for the same team to re-promote him a year or two later.
Conversely, signing Rodgers — or anybody who might grab McCarthy’s job — would likely signal the end for McCarthy with the Vikings as a long-term solution. He’d embark on an adventure like Sam Darnold, Anthony Richardson, or Will Levis — former and notable quarterbacks looking for a second chance.
Rodgers will turn 43 in December.
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