Aaron Rodgers, the legendary quarterback with an unparalleled resume, is contemplating his next move, and it appears the Minnesota Vikings are on his radar. Yet, there’s a catch for the NFC North team: they’re only willing to sign Rodgers if they find themselves without a ready quarterback.
The Steelers, meanwhile, have emerged as frontrunners in this gridiron chess match. Head coach Mike Tomlin and owner Art Rooney II have both publicly expressed confidence in landing the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer.
This follows the departure of their starting quarterbacks, Russell Wilson to the Giants and Justin Fields to the Jets. The Steelers have indeed re-signed Mason Rudolph, but relying on a career backup for a playoff run isn’t exactly a dream scenario.
Minnesota’s decision hinges on the development of J.J. McCarthy, their first-round pick in 2024.
The young prospect was sidelined all last year due to a meniscus injury and will need to prove decisively that he’s not ready to take the field. If McCarthy falters during offseason evaluations, Rodgers becomes the Vikings’ ace in the hole—a seasoned veteran ready to step in if McCarthy isn’t cutting it.
Sam Darnold’s recent success story for the Vikings adds another layer to this tale. Leading Minnesota to 14 wins and a Wild Card spot in 2024, he has now joined the Seahawks with a whopping $100.5 million contract. The Vikings are clearly eyeing a repeat playoff appearance and possibly more, especially with Aaron Rodgers potentially in the driver’s seat.
On the other side, Rodgers himself isn’t rushing any decisions about his future. Though back in 2021 he seemed on the verge of calling it quits, he returned to Green Bay and has kept fans guessing ever since.
For the Vikings, adding Rodgers to a stacked roster that includes Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Justin Addison could vault them into Super Bowl contention.
A top-five defense and a possible reunion with Aaron Jones would certainly sweeten the deal.
Rodgers proved in 2024 with the Jets that he’s still got it, racking up nearly 3,900 yards and 28 touchdowns despite a shaky offensive line. Pair those numbers with Minnesota’s weapons, and you start to see why the Vikings with Rodgers could truly be a force to reckon with in the NFL.