Early on during the 2025 NFL offseason, the Minnesota Vikings were connected heavily to longtime rival quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Of course, Rodgers was the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers for many years. He had plenty of great battles against the Vikings during his time in the NFC North.
While some wanted to see Minnesota sign Rodgers, the team opted to go in a different direction. Instead of bringing in the 41-year-old signal caller, the Vikings decided to roll with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy and hand the keys to the franchise over to the former Michigan standout.
Rodgers has now officially signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Any rumor connecting Minnesota to Rodgers can officially be put to bed.
Read more: Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Speaks Out About Rumored Aaron Rodgers Interest
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler has now offered more details about why the Vikings chose to pass on Rodgers.
“Rodgers definitely had interest in playing for the Vikings. He was looking at playing for one of those elite type play callers, like Kevin O’Connell, but the Vikings plan is clear for what I’m told, they saw this as a three year window right now to win a championship with a really good quarterback they like on a rookie deal that can build around them with some pieces,” Fowler said. “They’re going to go for it, without Rodgers officially, now.”
Their reasoning makes perfect sense. When Minnesota drafted McCarthy at No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, the front office clearly believed that he was a franchise caliber quarterback.
Bringing in a 41-year-old to start would simply delay McCarthy’s development even more. If the Vikings think McCarthy is their guy, giving him the job now makes sense.
Read more: Aaron Rodgers Could Be Trouble For Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Says Former Rival
McCarthy offers Minnesota the three-year window Fowler referred to. In those three years, he will either prove that he is the man long-term for the Vikings, or the franchise will need to look for an alternative option.
With this kind of decision to pass on an all-time great comes more pressure for the second-year quarterback. He has impressed the franchise in his short time with the team and head coach Kevin O’Connell clearly believes in his ability.
After a 2024 season that saw Minnesota finish with a 14-3 record, it will be interesting to see what kind of year McCarthy can lead the team to in 2025.
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