It seems impossible to avoid the drama that surrounds free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers on what has become an annual basis. From the trade he forced Green Bay into that sent him to the Jets to his insistence on returning from a season-ending Achilles injury on a truncated schedule with unorthodox recovery methods to impacting reunions with most of his old Packers teammates in New York, Rodgers seems addicted to the spotlight. 
That hasn’t changed to this day, as a team of Michael Silver, Dianna Russini, and Alec Lewis — all of The Athletic — reports that Rodgers has multiple teams holding out for his decision on where to play in 2025. One thing is a bit different in this situation, though: the decision appears to be out of Rodgers’ hands, at the moment. Per The Athletic, Rodgers has made it known that he is hoping to sign with the Vikings, but it’s head coach Kevin O’Connell who appears to hold sway over whether or not that will happen.
For a player that didn’t seem to want to live in the shadow of Brett Favre, Rodgers seems fairly eager to continue following in his exact footsteps. Rodgers’ desires are not exactly difficult to track here, though. At 41 years old, the veteran quarterback is hoping to land with a team that can contend for a Super Bowl. His move to New York was an attempt to bring a team in the gutter up to his usual championship-caliber, but that proved more difficult than anticipated.
Now, he’ll seek a contender who sat a game short of earning the NFC’s first-round bye in the playoffs with Sam Darnold at quarterback just last year. In fact, The Athletic reports that Darnold’s new salary in Seattle ($33.5MM per year) is around what Rodgers is looking for in a new contract. That being said, salary is not expected to be a sticking point for Rodgers on a new deal.
The real decision here comes from O’Connell, who has been granted key say in this situation by team owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. They know that, ultimately, the decision will weigh heaviest on O’Connell as head coach and that O’Connell has the most insight into the Vikings’ current situation at quarterback.
That situation has recently seen Minnesota affirming rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy as the heir apparent for the job moving forward, despite McCarthy missing the entirety of the 2024 NFL season following meniscus surgery. The 10th overall pick last year was not seen as a first-round option for much of the 2023 season, but his national championship-winning season with the Wolverines, combined with quite a few desperate teams looking for rookie passers, resulted in McCarthy hearing his name on Day 1.
While it was initially thought that McCarthy would need to sit and learn for a year, a lack of serious candidates for competition led McCarthy into a battle with Darnold to replace Kirk Cousins as the starter in Minnesota, a battle that Darnold was gifted following McCarthy’s surgery. Now, with Darnold having moved on and McCarthy having sat for the year, it’s presumed that McCarthy should now be ready to take hold of the starting role.
Enter: Rodgers. Obviously, Rodgers has the ability as an experienced veteran to come in and take hold of the starting job. O’Connell isn’t just looking for a starter, though. After a 14-3 season, O’Connell is looking to build off that momentum and take the team to a Super Bowl, even if it doesn’t happen this season.
This forces O’Connell to reconcile with what bringing Rodgers in would mean. First, the upside that Rodgers provides could help for a win-now mentality to take a talented Vikings team to a Super Bowl this season. But, given what we saw from Rodgers last season in New York, Minnesota may not get that upside. They could end up with what we’ve seen in Rodgers last two full seasons: a combined 13-21 record, sub-4,000 yards passing, and just over 25 touchdowns combined with double-digit interceptions, something we hadn’t seen from Rodgers since 2010.
O’Connell also has to reconcile with the social factor Rodgers brings to the team. We saw several instances of dissonance between Rodgers and leadership over his last years in Green Bay and his time with the Jets. Does O’Connell want to risk bringing in what some have deemed to be a toxic personality, especially if there’s no guarantee he returns to the excellence we saw just four years ago?
This could also impact McCarthy’s confidence, leading the young passer to feel as if the team doesn’t believe he’s ready for the job and further stunting his early growth. The alternative would see O’Connell lock in on McCarthy as the future of the position and start to get him as much time in that role as possible. Even if it doesn’t bring them the success of a Super Bowl in 2025, getting McCarthy reps as the leader of the offense would be crucial in the 22-year-old’s development.
It’s an unenviable position for O’Connell who has to weigh several factors in making a decision on whether to take the next uncertain steps with an inexperienced, unproven rookie or an accomplished veteran who could certainly be on the downslide that ends his career.
Regardless of what O’Connell decides, the Giants and Steelers are holding in position, waiting to make their own decisions as a result. Unfortunately for them, it sounds as if Rodgers may not be guaranteed to fall to them even if O’Connell decides not to sign him. According to The Athletic staff, it remains an option that, should the Vikings turn him down, Rodgers may spurn both Pittsburgh and New York in favor of retirement. There is certainly a slew of possibilities that will branch out from O’Connell’s upcoming decision.
I think I can speak for most Viking fans. NO THANK YOU!
I don’t know, if would be kind of Epic….. he certainly would have a lot of talent around him if he decided or if the Vikings made him a one year offer
I hope he signs….. quite frankly, I thought the Jets should have kept him, but maybe a divorce was in order…. Still the Vikings would be epic
Vikings drafted McCarthy not for the sake of wasting a 1st round pick
I doubt O’Connell would want a 42 year old QB who had a meh year with the jets that’s also now injury prone (on top of all his baggage)
For sure. I think non-Vikings fans underestimate how much and how long we’ve despised this guy. I would struggle to root for him and I’m not alone.
And I’m not even sold on the upside he offers. The vibes around the team are too good to take this risk.
As a Bears fan I know exactly how much and for how long you’ve despised this guy.
It is clearly an amazing opportunity for all Vikings fans to rejoice at his signing. This wins a super blow guaranteed.
Packers -> Jets -> Vikings -> dckpck -> retirement
It is the way
Lol
If the Vikings sign Rodgers I hope he gets KOC fired, Jefferson demands a trade, the Vikings leave Minnesota and the NFL crumbles. Good thing I’m not one of those weirdos who overreacts.
I mean he just got Robert saleh fired, and Garrett Wilson might get angry if he doesn’t get paid, so he’s already checked 2 out of 4 boxes
If he comes back he probably loses the all-time passer rating leader spot
But would finish 5 TDs behind Favre
Not on the Vikings. With that receiver corps and Kevin O’Connell, Rodgers could enjoy a very good season. A one year guaranteed contract with an option for a second year would make sense for the Vikings if Rodgers is willing to commit to mentoring McCarthy for as long as he’s there.
Rodgers did a great job revitalizing Zach Wilson… oh wait…
I know there’s Jordan love but lafleur is one of those coaches that can work with any QB
QBs like Alex smith and Kirk cousins I’ve heard are good mentors (would’ve mentioned Eli manning but Daniel jones did not pan out well)
How much frame of reference do you have? A failed starter in Wilson, and a decent Qb in Love? Tough to call, there.
Rodgers would be great on the field in Minnesota. You’re not going to get a QB who was top ten in yards or touchdowns last year for any cheaper. The question for the Vikes is whether they want to push to compete this year, with a roster that’s ready for it, or whether they want to give some time to McCarthy to give it a shot.
From Rodgers’ perspective, this is a slam dunk. From Minnesota’s, it’s McCarthy’s development versus Rodgers’ present value. What gets you championships, in the end- all-this year (or next, if lightning strikes) with Rodgers, or a few years and possibly an extension with McCarthy ? That’s what they need to figure out.
Who cares??? Aaron is nothing but a selfish drama queen who wants to make sure he is the talk of the NFL offseason and purposely holds teams hostage to keep the story going. Retire please.
He’s earned the right but teams fawning over this guy and making the earth stand still while they wait is just not a way to run a business.
Omar getting Khaned again.
All I can say is CRAP. Hopefully KOC says no. Even if JJ sucks I would rather know so they can move on. Not push the clock back another year.
We should be thankful he wants to come here to give us Super Blow chances. JJ’s knee is just a bunch of played out pastrami.
One injury doesn’t turn a knee into cheese
Agreed. Let the record be clear I never referenced a cheese.
Ok but hey, good luck in the Super Blow
Super Blow or Bust!
Tomlin played again, putting all you chips in Rodger’s hand, see how that turns out for Coach.
I’m pretty sure none of it is his call. How are you a Steeler fan and not know this?
I think he has a hand in all decisions. From all accounts, the decision to pursue and wait for Rodgers is on him
This is an EASY decision for KOC! This guy is done. He’s toxic in the locker room and Minnesota doesn’t need the BS that comes with him. DO NOT sign Sharon for any reason!! You’ll lose the team in the locker room and damage McCarthys psyche for years. DONT DO IT KOC!!!
Time for Khan and the Steelers to move on to the next option.
Out of curiosity, what is the next option? Especially, if Wilson doesn’t want to come back knowing he was at least their 3rd choice. If they start Rudolph, I would sit all the best starters for a season to prevent a big injury, and to get a very high draft choice.
Rudolph. He’s about as good for 8-10 wins as these two overpriced clowns. Draft a QB like Shough
But knowing Tomlin, they’ll opt for Jameis after groveling for Russ
Whether Rodgers, Wilson or whomever, this simply not a serious contender
I agree that none of the options are very appealing. Rudolph is just awful though. The problem is that Pittsburgh doesn’t have a 2nd rd pick, and the Sloghs and Darts are not worth the 21st pick. They would need to trade down an awful lot, and I am not sure I am that excited by either.
I don’t think Rudolph is awful. He stepped up nicely in his last stint here
I don’t think he’s Pro Bowl material either
Too many problems here. If you’re not going anywhere, why spend big money? Rodgers and Wilson change nothing
They still have a poor O-line
They still have essentially two back up RBs
They have no D-line
For a franchise that took Pickett, they should draft a QB every year until they get it right.
I’ve seen enough of Shough and Dart
And Sanders is a pocket passer (but I don’t think he drops to them)
Does anyone watch college ball or do they just regurgitate what some commentator said?
Point is, if your continuously stuck in the mushy middle, why not build for the future first and foremost?
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but Rudolph does suck, BIG TIME, imop, and most everyone else’s. You don’t sign for $4m per year in your 6th or 7th year in the league if you have any potential at all. Is Roger’s or Wilson better? Certainly. With that said, you are right that they will not be good enough to bridge the difference to be true contenders. Until they find a QB that can at least massively close the gap between the Jackson’s, Allen’s, Mahomes, and Burrow’s of the AFC, they will be stuck in the musty middle. Good luck finding that, but that still doesn’t advocate for taking a QB too early that doesn’t deserve to be taken that high. The team might just need a total tear down to accomplish this.
– nobody can argue that the OL play was bad last year, but they have allocated a lot of resources to try and fix it. Fonteau missed the whole season. I liked that draft choice, but we will have to wait and see if it works. We had a rookie C that played near a Pro Bowl level. Seamulto is solid. McKinley is young, has talent, and now has a year of experience. Jones has not played to his pedigree, but there is talent there. Some take a little longer, like Andrew Thomas did, to reach it. We knew he was raw coming in, so MAYBE/:HOPEFULLY he can take that next step now that he has 2 years of experience.
– RB’s are easy to find. Warren is fine. The draft is very deep with them. We can find one later in the draft if they evaluate correctly.
– Pitt’s DL needs another good contributor. Heyward still played great last year, and Benton can be good. One difference maker, and maybe a good depth piece.
– Outside of QB, Pitt’s main weaknesses were WR and CB. They got Metcalf, and I like Roman Wilson, who is coming back after missing his entire rookie season. CB needs to be addressed more. Slay is ancient, and Porter regressed badly last year.
If this team had an above average QB, they really wouldn’t be in bad shape. The problem is that they are tough to find, especially picking as low as Pitt has been, and without one, you are not going to be a true contender.
And you’re entitled to yours
After watching him at OK State, I thought Rudolph had a big arm. I still do. No one ever said he was going to be an elite NFL QB but the difference between him and both Pickett and Trubisky was a marked improvement. Defenses no longer loaded the box without fear of the medium/long pass
Did you watch his games at the end of his time here?
I’ll grant you that Mason has slow feet and stays on his primary target a bit too long, but that improved with his work ethic
As for the draft, again, I wonder where some fans get their info. It almost sounds like the regurgitation from various outlets. Everyone knows about the Mannings coming out of college. And everyone thinks little of a Brady coming out of Michigan. It’s almost hilarious.
You’re right, Warren is ok
But you’re placing far too much optimism in an O-line that got pushed around last season and mangled by the likes of the Ravens, Eagles, and Chiefs. Maybe if we click our heels together three times, they’ll magically become better
They’ve addressed nothing where the D-line is concerned, meaning TJ will be double and triple teamed again if nothing changes
And the secondary ? I can’t remember a more overrated DB than Porter and how they use Minkah-as a monster back/rover—is ridiculous. Sorry, there was only one Polamalu, and he’s not in that class. They have Elliott back here. That’s about it
I just don’t see the optimism here
Sad time to be a Pittsburgh sports fan—and to me, the Pens have the right idea. Load up on draft picks while remaining marginally competitive.
I sent a reply below, for what it’s worth.
What is this unnatural hold scam artist idiot Rodgers has on teams? Ridiculous.
It might have something to do with the four MVP trophies in Rodgers’s closet, including back to back in 2020 and 2021.
Tomlin needs to let his personal adoration for Rodgers go and get his butt in gear to get a QB who can be signed NOW.
Who do you want?
I look forward to seing Rodgers joining the Vikings. I can’t wait to see this train wreck lol
Russell Wilson outplayed Rodgers in 2024. Let that sink in. And then ask why you would invite the publicity circus into your locker room for the ever diminishing returns that Aaron brings to the table.
Genuinely curious as to what you’re using to derive this argument.
Wilson- 2482 yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs, 63% COMP rating
Rodgers- 3897 yards, 28 TDs, 11 INTs, 63% COMP rating
Don’t see how Wilson outplayed Rodgers, here.
Wilson – Completion % – 63.7; Yard/attempt – 7.4; Interception % – 1.5; Rating – 95.6; QBR – 51.3
Rodgers – Completion % – 63.0; Yard/attempt – 6.7; Interception % – 1.9; Rating – 90.5; QBR – 48.0
Rodgers had more yards and TD’s because he played 17 games vs. Wilson’s 11. But which of the QB’s do you think will be more healthy in 2025? A 42 year old Rodgers or a 37 year old Wilson?
Well, that’s part of it, with all things being equal, right? With as many issues as the Steelers had, they also were still a good if not great team in many areas (like kicking, for instance, which definitely influenced a lot of the Jets’ scoring). Hard to say that about the Jets.
The last point is fair, though. I don’t think that either of these guys are a for sure bet after a big hit, but Wilson did do his time on the sideline last year. Still, you have to have a backup plan for Rodgers too. I think that I expect much more from Rodgers on the field, but I’m more worried about his ability to stay available after being beat up, just on my own hunch. I’ll agree with that.
hey DK, enjoy catching balls from Mason Rudolph
Rudolph has a good arm and throws a nice deep ball
But Brady could be here and do little behind that line
Time for old toads to FOAD.
“His move to New York was an attempt to bring a team in the gutter up to his usual championship-caliber, but that proved more difficult than anticipated.”
If Mike Wallace could have heard the play calls at the end, Rodgers might well have lost the only Super Bowl he ever played in…so…
“His USUAL championship-caliber” must refer to Darwin Awards or something.
Genuinely amazing how badly the Steelers have bungled this offseason so far.
I really hope the Steelers realize they’re being played and move on from this old man. If not they’re going to continue to miss out on qbs and wind up with Mason Rudolf as their starter. on the bright side, they’ll finally be near the top of the draft next year.
Stop giving teams false hope. It’s time to walk away.
What I’ve always expected. No way is the delicate genius working with coaches he has no ties to. I actually question if he can. He might not be smart enough to learn a new offense since he’s played in the same one his whole career.
It seems like packers fans across the river are more excited about this. Funny that they keep bringing it up with lots of laughter.
Why would Rodgers consider retiring? I’m sure he sees himself leading the USA to a gold medal at the Olympics in flag football and then being the major superstar of the new found league.
This packer fan would enjoy seeing AR — with all his baggage and declining skills — in a Vikings uniform.
What about that Brett Favvvr guy…
He’s too busy figuring out ways to bilk senior citizens.
We don’t know yet if the OL will improve, but they are really trying to improve it. Their last two first rd picks have been OT’s. They also used their 2nd and 4th rd picks last year on a C, who played great, and a OG who got a lot of starts as a rookie. I am not really sure how much more they can do to try and address it without seeing if the Fonteau’s, for example, are good or not.
Watt’s is not going to be double and triple teamed if everyone is healthy. Highsmith and Herbig both finished in the top 10 in PFF pass rushing grades. Heyward was still a Pro Bowler. Benton has talent. If I had to guess today, if it falls right, I would guess Pittsburgh takes a DL with their 1st rd pick to try and help the DL.
Their CB play needs really help though. They have as bad a CB play as any team in the NFL.
I liked Rudolph at Oklahoma State, but again, you can’t have any real potential when in your 6th or 7th season nobody offers you more than $4m per year. There is a reason Pittsburgh didn’t try and retain him and went after Wilson and Fields, even though they aren’t the answer either. Until Pitt solves the QB issue they are just not going to be contenders. Not sure how they accomplish this without a tear down, or just getting lucky in the draft or thru a trade.
Ok. I can agree with the hopeful slant here. I am a fan and hope they do well. But it’s like the Pirates. A great many ifs and hopes.
It’s interesting to me that I’m been on the Tyler Shough wagon since I saw a few Louisville games. The Steelers *already* have had him in for a visit. And now McShay is saying the same.
Kid has good size, good arm, good field awareness
link to steelersdepot.com
If they really like him, maybe they trade down into the beginning of the 2nd rd, take him there, and use the pick they get and their 3rd rounder on a DL, which this draft is very deep at, and a CB, who can be found after the 1st two rounds. Get a RB later. The teams that draft the best, aka Philadelphia and Baltimore, are the best in the NFL. You are right, though, that they have to find some way to at least TRY and address the QB position for the future. I just do not want them to massively over each out of pure desperation, which I think may have happened with Pickett.
Agreed. I think Sanders and Ward are good athletes. I’m just not sold on them being high 1st rounders
I am not overly enamored with either as high 1st rd picks. In last years draft I think Ward would have been the 6th QB taken, just ahead of Nix, and Sanders would have been 8th behind Nix. I like Ward better, but I don’t look at him as a probable franchise QB.
FYI. I wouldn’t say the Pirates are a well run organization, but MLB is different than the NFL. In the NFL everyone shares equally in tv contracts, which is where all the real $ is at in sports now. The players then are guaranteed their fair portion of the revenues. Every team is on the same footing salary wise due to this revenue sharing. In MLB, they all have their own tv deals. The Yankees and Dodgers are getting $400m a year in revenue just off that, where the Pittsburgh’s and Miami’s are getting like $60m. There is just no way that 1/2 the teams have any chance to compete for any length of time, and just have to hope they get a small window where they develop great players that all come up around a similar time. It is a broken system where the gap just keeps getting wider, and there is no hope for anything improving. I am a baseball fan, but it is starting to just get to be a waste of time. I don’t know how they are continuing to get people to watch, and I think they will really have a problem attracting the younger generation that hasn’t been long time fans that just watch out of habit. They will never fix the tv deals, so maybe if they put all the big market teams in the AL, and the bottom half in the NL it would at least get one of the bottom half in revenue to the WS every year, and offer hope in one 7 game series.
Everything you’ve written here is true. Please, join us on MLB Trade Rumors the next time there’s a Pirates thread
But your rendering isn’t the problem here. No, it’s unlikely a small market team will ever win the WS given MLB’s financial structure. It may even be a stretch to think such a team can even get that far.
But as a fan who goes back to my earliest memories in the Forbes Field era and whose tax dollars helped to fund the palace the Pirates play in, all I want is a hustling, competitive team
I’ll take a .500 team year in and year out
And you get that in similar markets: Milwaukee. Cleveland. Baltimore. Tampa
And last year, KC
Unfortunately, unlike the Rooneys, Nutting is not a Pittsburgher. He’s aloof where interviews are concerned. Not a fixture at PNC.
His modus operandi seems to be profits above all else. It’s an obsession. The yearly quest to bring in the cheapest players is something we fans have come to expect.
He’s easily the worst owner in MLB, reaping huge profits while feeling no civic responsibility to be respectable, at least
It’s an abject joke
With a generational pitcher and two more good, young ones that will anchor a staff with Keller, all they needed to do was bring in a couple affordable bats. They were out there. Instead, they brought in two retreads.
And now, the Steelers are talking about Flacco? And Jameis? Seriously?