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.
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)
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.
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?
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
What is this unnatural hold scam artist idiot Rodgers has on teams? Ridiculous.
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.
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.