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Report: Aaron Rodgers Down to Two Options – Wait for Vikings or…
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- Report: Aaron Rodgers Down to Two Options – Wait for Vikings or…
Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Right now it appears the Minnesota Vikings are committed to their 2024 first round draft pick J.J. McCarthy . That commitment doesn't necessarily waver if they bring in a future Hall of Fame quarterback to take the helm for a season.
At this point it doesn't appear that Aaron Rodgers is on the radar for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah or Kevin O'Connell. Of course, until the MN Vikings sign a clear backup for J.J. McCarthy , the speculation can continue to run rampant.
Credit: Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Why wouldn't Aaron Rodgers wait for the best opportunity to succeed? He's not getting any younger, and the 41-year-old would love another ring for his finger on the way out.
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Minnesota Vikings remain Aaron Rodgers dream scenario
Reports in recent weeks have circled around the desire for Aaron Rodgers to play on Kevin O'Connell's Minnesota Vikings roster. If Rodgers' actions haven't been loud enough on their own, then insider Dianna Russini has doubled down on stating them.
Recently Tom Pelissero appeared on the Jim Rome Show , and he stated just how willing Rodgers is to wait.
"It's Pittsburgh or wait." @TomPelissero on Aaron Rodgers remaining options in free agency. pic.twitter.com/jmGZiCHad8
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) March 27, 2025
"This deal [with Pittsburgh] has been in place for weeks. They have discussed parameters. This is not going to be a financial issue at all for Aaron Rodgers…The Pittsburgh Steelers are the only opportunity that Aaron has…Aaron had a high interest in Minnesota…It was always a longshot in Minnesota because they have a high degree of belief that J.J. McCarthy is going to be the guy…They decided at this point, they are moving forward. I'm not anticipating that changing…We're in a very small percentage chance here that this thing changes, and he has Minnesota open up. Aaron's own choices right now are go to the Steelers, quiet down everything…or you sit back and say, I'm not ready to make a decision right now. Maybe you see, whether it's Minnesota or something else, what might shake out of the trees…This is Pittsburgh or wait."
There's a lot to unpack with the Rodgers reality, but it all boils down to this. The former Packers legend has made more than $380 million during his career and doesn't need more money. He's also clearly not sold on what the Steelers have to offer. Mike Tomlin is a good coach, but D.K. Metcalf and George Pickens aren't Justin Jefferson , Jordan Addison , and everything Kevin O'Connell has to offer.
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Pittsburgh has stuck their neck out knowing they need a quarterback. The Steelers needed one last year in that they played two in the form of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson . Both those players are now gone elsewhere, and they look like a lonely suitor hoping that Rodgers picks them.
Minnesota doesn't need Rodgers. Sam Darnold is more than proof enough that McCarthy should be expected to succeed. If Rodgers wants to try and wrangle one last Super Bowl though, the Vikings are his best bet. Until the point in which both Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell tell him to kick rocks and get lost, he has no incentive to make a decision.
MN Vikings allowing Pittsburgh Steelers to embarrass themselves
There's no denying the resume of Aaron Rodgers. He is a four-time MVP, four-time All-Pro, has been named to ten Pro Bowl's, and has a Super Bowl ring. He's also 42 years old, one year removed from an achilles tear, and went just 5-12 with the New York Jets last season.
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The Steelers situation is so dire that they are willing to provide a fair offer to Rodgers, and watch him proverbially sneeze on it until a better suitor emerges. The only potential suitor left would be Minnesota, and that's unlikely to happen.
Last season Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards , 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He was good-not-great with a Jets team that was terrible. What level he aided that is debatable. Regardless, he's still calling the shots while his likely future employer, and teammates, get laughed at in the process .
Related: Insider Says Minnesota Vikings Had a Near-Perfect Free Agency
It's not on the Vikings to save the Steelers, or Rodgers from himself, in this situation. They could change their own stance, or they could just sit back and watch the NFL landscape burn.
