As the Giants and Steelers have hovered as the leaders in this unusual Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes for multiple days, the future Hall of Fame quarterback is still deliberating. Rodgers is well aware the Giants and Steelers are interested, but the third team linked to him over the weekend is still believed to be in the mix.
Rodgers remains intrigued by playing for the Vikings, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Michael Silver note. Minnesota continues to evaluate its QB options, and we heard over the weekend Rodgers is one of them. While completing the Full Favre would be make for an eerie parallel for his one-time Packers successor, Minnesota has some selling points the other two suitors do not.
Kevin O’Connell is the reigning NFL Coach of the Year, riding to that honor mostly as Sam Darnold went from bottom-tier starter and borderline draft bust to an original-ballot Pro Bowler who threw 35 touchdown passes in guiding the Vikings to a stunning 14-3 record. Darnold targeted All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson, former first-rounder Jordan Addison and Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson. Longtime Rodgers teammate Aaron Jones also did heavy lifting for the 2024 Vikings, and he is back on a two-year, $20MM deal.
Minnesota also finished with a top-five defense last season, and during a week in which the team re-signed Byron Murphy and retained Harrison Smith, the Vikes added veteran D-linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Brett Favre joined a Vikings team that had lost a wild-card game in 2008, albeit with a much worse record than last year’s Minnesota edition; Rodgers may be interested in helping a team to a higher level. Though, the four-time MVP failing to do so in New York — ahead of a Wednesday release — offers a warning sign for the suitors.
Favre took the Vikings to the 2009 NFC championship game, delivering an MVP-caliber season at 40. That ended badly, with a reckless interception stalling a potential game-winning Vikings drive in the NFC championship game. But Favre delivered a strong season at 40, beating Rodgers’ Packers twice. Unretirement No. 3 in 2010 did not go as well, as Favre’s ironman streak ended during a 6-10 Vikes season.
Rodgers is rumored to be interested in playing two more years, which is where a Minnesota decision would become complicated. Unlike in 2009 when they recruited Favre, the Vikings have a young quarterback (J.J. McCarthy) they are planning to build around. The 2009 Vikes had seen three Tarvaris Jackson seasons, as both a starter and backup, by that point. This Vikings regime is high on McCarthy, having centered its 2024 offseason around him before a meniscus tear entrenched Darnold at QB1. Rodgers may not be too keen on serving as a bridge who faces the risk of being benched during his first season with the team.
Chances are, he would not face that reality in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are not in position to grab a starter-level QB in the draft, though one of the QBs off the Cam Ward/Shedeur Sanders tier may rise up draft boards during the pre-draft process. But Rodgers could have a path, even as he will turn 42 in December, to starting throughout for a Steelers team that has a strong defensive nucleus — and one that just acquired D.K. Metcalf to play alongside George Pickens.
The Steelers have made their offer, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reports, adding that money is not believed to be driving this Rodgers delay. The decorated quarterback has not publicly confirmed he even intends to play in 2025, though that has been the expectation for a bit. Although the Steelers are unlikely to essentially hand the keys to Rodgers in the way the Jets did, their hesitation on Russell Wilson does raise the stakes for this particular free agency pursuit.
Wilson looms as a Steelers backup option, but time may be ticking there, too. Wilson is visiting the Browns on Thursday and Giants on Friday. While Wilson has settled in behind Rodgers within the QB free agent hierarchy — to the point the Giants would be unlikely to sign him before they know they are out of the Rodgers derby — he remains a capable starting quarterback who could be a bridge option to a rookie.
The Vikings being in the Rodgers mix as well stands to give the 20-year veteran a good chance to remain a starter in 2025. While Rodgers is well off the 2012 Peyton Manning level in terms of free agency prize, as the all-time great’s free agency decision stalled the NFL that offseason, the Rodgers free agency is slowing the market for at least one quarterback and probably a couple more.
The two teams in this derby who do not land Rodgers figure to place an immediate call to Wilson’s camp. Options tail off soon after. Gardner Minshew is available, and Joe Flacco is interested in playing an age-40 season. The line moves to Jameis Winston, Carson Wentz and Mason Rudolph after. The Falcons continue to hold Kirk Cousins hostage, intent on keeping him for a potential trade market.
I think Rodgers is probably considering the Vikings more than they’re considering him.
Arod definitely wants to play for a team that just won 14 games that has one of the best coaches
I would hate to see Minnesota sign him though because jj McCarthy deserves the reigns and doesn’t need to spend 2 seasons of his cheap contract on the sidelines
Also they don’t need a locker room cancer that lies about Covid that single-handedly ruined this jets championship window etc etc
What makes you think McCarthy deserves ANYTHING? You are asinine!
They traded up LAST year to get him. Darnold being serviceable wasn’t in the plans, nor was the knee injury.
The Vikings think he deserves something.
He deserves a shot to earn the starting job. Thats it. Just because he was a higher draft pick QB, doesn’t mean they should hand him the keys to the team.
If the Vikes bring in Rodger’s, JJ won’t have the shot to earn the starting spot that you suggest he deserves.
Isn’t that the same thing they said about Penix in Atlanta not getting a shot with Cousins just signed last year?
I heard from sources that the queens are not interested in Rodgers and they’re going with McCarthy
Chet- Sure, but things change fast in the NFL. He tore his meniscus and then they went 14-3 without him in a season in which many expected them to take a step back. Maybe they aren’t confident he’s going to be fully healthy and ready to go now for a team who is fully competing. It’s possible those factors affected their opinion on whether he deserves a shot for the sake of it.
Many scouts and so called football experts from espn and nfln had McCarthy rated higher than Bo Nix. From what I understand he’s very talented and the Vikings are gonna give him every opportunity to start this year
I think its the opposite
AR don’t wanna play ahead of a QB that could replace him permanently any given week
Obviously MIN would love to make a run with him, but his job security would be safe as they come in PIT or NYG
To me, this says that Rodgers is probably planning on two seasons. Unless he goes and plays at an MVP level with Minnesota, McCarthy is likely starting next year. There’s really no other reason to not want the Vikings job.
If I’m Rodgers, I’m taking it anyway. Minnesota has a better line and better supporting offensive cast, despite Pittsburgh’s improvements. O’Connell has done great work with two veterans in Darnold and Cousins. If Rodgers wants to rebuild his reputation, Minnesota is the place to do it.
Agreed.
While he certainly could win a SB in Minnesota, the Steelers are no slouch either and would be handing him the keys for 2 seasons with no QB competition
Given their limited draft assets, it’s unlikely Steelers even draft a QB this year unless it’s on day 3
FREE COUSINS
Time to move on. Kahn waited and waited on Aiyuk last year and now doing this with Rodgers. Keeps waiting and Winston will be your starter next years
Losing faith in Kahn.
I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying here
Are you inferring you’d be upset if they “miss out” on Jameis Winston?
I’m not so sure that’s someone they’d even be interested in (I wouldn’t be)
And missing out Aiyuk worked out great. He turned out to be an asshat, and Khan traded for DKM
My inference is that he’s concerned Pitt will end up with Winston because they’ll miss out on many better possibilities by waiting for Rodgers.
Makes way more sense lol.
I definitely misread that
It happens to all of us haha
Exactly. Move on. He’s 42. Not 32
Get Russ back and draft a Dart or better yet, a Shough.
I was hoping they were working on a blockbuster trade but you’re right, it’s Aiyuk all over again
Huh?
Don’t let him taint McCarthy. His kind isn’t welcome anymore.
Pitts OC is heavily opinionated/ controlling.
Run first.
Not give QBs much leeway.
QBs can’t often adjust plays.
These are also Rodgers traits,(of what I have read).
The playstyle is opposite of his career.
Who would back down?
I hope he goes to the Vikings. That would take a dangerous team and turn it into a circus.
Because I’d like to see your Bears take the division, I’m personally not rooting for this and don’t think you should either. There’s a better offense in place in Minnesota and structure in the Vikings’ environment. Rodgers wouldn’t be allowed to come in and make it about him with that team culture.
myaccount2,I completely get what you’re saying. The Vikes have a strong coaching staff on the field with some quality players. The thing is Rodgers is Rodgers. He’s 42 and not likely to change his behavior and attitude. He is what he is. An old saying: A leopard doesn’t change his spots.
In some ways…Rodgers has to mend fences…a one year deal make good contract and helping JJ McCarthy develop would help with tbe GOOD will in Minnesota
The Steelers have butt fumbled this offseason.
They misplayed the Fields situation from the moment he arrived until the moment he left.
If they hadn’t just traded for Metcalf, it would be time to trade Watt, Minkah, Pickens, etc. and rebuild.
Instead, they are getting strung along by an over the hill drama queen while trying to string along a different over the hill drama queen. These are the best options they have left themselves.
All that matters to them is not having a losing season
sad but true
Nothing but a media play. Enlist these useless scribes and shills and run with a false narrative.
I agree
From everything I’ve seen, AR has already chosen Steelers and can’t officially sign until he’s released
Maybe there’s a very slight chance of some sort of contract breakdown , but seems like Steelers are willing to give him the 2 year deal he desires.
1 year deal in Minnesota makes the most sense.
Vikings obv have a good team & McCarthy did have 2 meniscus surgeries last year so they’d probably be willing to let him sit an additional year and fully heal.
ARod should do a low cost 1 year deal, add to his legacy & reevaluate next offseason. Vikings are only one of these teams that has any shot at a SB. Brady & Manning going to new teams & winning SBs + having massive success has to be eating Rodgers.
Im just going to comment on every post at this point because this is such an interesting situation
But my understanding is Rodgers will be in the same situation Russ was last year, where the new team just pays the minimum while the Jets cover the tab.
Therefore he’s trying to secure a 2 year deal that locks him into some sort of guarantee for 2026
I don’t think Vikings would do a 2 year deal.
Rodgers has made a ton of money in his career, at this point he is playing for legacy. Though that’s just my opinion.
I don’t either
That’s why I don’t think he’s going there
I think Rodgers kills the vibe there
You’re not going to bring him in to sit or be a backup. So unless JJ is behind schedule on his rehab, why? Are you going to sit him another year, kill his confidence?
Let him go to the Giants. They’re perfect for each other
McCarthy needed a second meniscus surgery end of fall so it would make sense for the Vikings to slow play his recovery. I don’t think it would hurt his confidence at all.
I’m not sure it’s smart for the Steelers to let Rodgers string them along, and end up missing out on R Wilson if Rodgers signs elsewhere.
Idk. I used to feel that way but,
I think I’d rather just jump into a rebuild at QB than use Wilson again
I’d rather use Mason Rudolph and Jaxson Dart/Will Howard than Russ
Rodgers is a very unique player and one of the best to ever do it. So while maybe the same logic should be applied, it’s still worth a shot if AR12 wants to come try to extend the win streak in 2025.
As the old saying goes, Rodgers needs to either $hit, or get off the pot.
If Rodgers was so in demand, he would of had a team jumping through hoops to sign him by now. If the Steelers were all in on Rodgers, they would not be negoiating with Wilson, they would not have waited for the Jets to release him, they would of work out a deal with the Jets to get him. Same goes for the Vikings if the Vikings were even strongly interested. Rodgers will be 42yrs before the season even starts, the Raiders traded for a 35yr old QB gave up a 3rd round for him. Nah, Rodgers did not have a good season with the Jets, do you really expect Rodgers to be the key piece for the Steelers to get to the SBowl I really cannot see it, I do see if he is signed to just have another mediocre season at QB, as I do with Wilson, even with DK at WR. These two QB’s just don’t have it anymore. It is a gamble by teams to sign these old QB’s and expect to catch lightning in a bottle of yester year when they were good.
Then I have to ask you—and I’m being serious, because I sure don’t know—what are the Steelers doing? Working on a trade?
If any of these teams are looking for a pain in their rear, it’s a lot cheaper to buy a thumbtack and sit on it than to sign Rodgers.