As the Giants and Steelers have remained the frontrunners in the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes for several days, the future Hall of Fame quarterback is still considering his options. While Rodgers is aware that both teams are interested, a third team that was mentioned over the weekend is still believed to be in the running.
Rodgers is reportedly interested in playing for the Minnesota Vikings, according to Dianna Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic. Minnesota is still evaluating its quarterback options, with Rodgers among them. While joining the Vikings would draw eerie parallels to Brett Favre’s move from Green Bay to Minnesota, the Vikings offer some unique advantages that the Giants and Steelers don’t.
Kevin O’Connell, the NFL Coach of the Year, led the Vikings to a remarkable 14-3 record, largely thanks to Sam Darnold’s resurgence from a borderline draft bust to a Pro Bowler with 35 touchdown passes. Darnold threw to star receiver Justin Jefferson, former first-round pick Jordan Addison, and Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson. Longtime Rodgers teammate Aaron Jones also played a significant role in the Vikings’ offense, returning on a two-year, $20 million deal.
Minnesota also boasted a top-five defense last season and bolstered it further by re-signing Byron Murphy and Harrison Smith, while adding veteran defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Brett Favre had joined the Vikings in 2009 after they lost a wild-card game, but Rodgers could be tempted to help a team reach greater heights. However, the four-time MVP’s struggles in New York may serve as a cautionary tale for other teams.
Favre’s 2009 MVP-caliber season took the Vikings to the NFC Championship, though it ended in disappointment with an interception in the game’s final moments. His 2010 return didn’t go as well, leading to a 6-10 season. Rodgers is said to be considering playing for two more years, which complicates things for Minnesota. Unlike in 2009 when Favre was recruited to replace a struggling Tarvaris Jackson, the Vikings now have a young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, around whom they are building their future. If Rodgers joined, he might risk being benched after one season, which could be unappealing for him.
The Steelers, however, offer a clearer path to starting. Though they aren’t likely to select a starting-level quarterback in the draft, Rodgers, at 42, could still play an important role in Pittsburgh’s strong defense, especially after the team acquired D.K. Metcalf to complement George Pickens.
The Steelers have reportedly made their offer, and money isn’t believed to be the main factor in Rodgers’ delay. He has yet to confirm his plans for 2025, though it’s widely expected that he’ll play. While the Steelers may not offer Rodgers the same assurances the Jets did, their hesitations around Russell Wilson could elevate the stakes in this free agency race.
Wilson remains a backup option for the Steelers, but he’s visiting the Browns and Giants later this week. While he’s now behind Rodgers in the quarterback hierarchy, he could still serve as a solid starting option or a bridge to a rookie. If Rodgers ultimately chooses another team, the Giants and Steelers would likely reach out to Wilson’s camp.
With Rodgers slowing down the free agent market, teams who miss out on him are expected to turn to backup options like Gardner Minshew and Joe Flacco, or potentially to quarterbacks like Jameis Winston, Carson Wentz, and Mason Rudolph. The Falcons are still holding onto Kirk Cousins, with a potential trade looming.
Leave a Reply