The Minnesota Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls on J.J. McCarthy , telling other teams they're moving forward with him as their quarterback, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network . The team is also not pursuing Aaron Rodgers at this time.
Rodgers' options are now the Pittsburgh Steelers , New York Giants , or retirement. Pelissero says there's been ongoing dialogue with Rodgers and the Steelers.
"I am told Rodgers is now aware Minnesota is going in another direction. For the Steelers, we know that they have prioritized Aaron Rodgers over potentially bringing back Russell Wilson . I am told there is ongoing dialogue between the Steelers, Rodgers' agent, as well as Rodgers himself, and various members of the organization," Pelissero said.
With news pertaining to Minnesota this morning, NFL insider Josina Anderson reports that Pittsburgh feels like they are "getting closer" to Rodgers.
"Tomlin was very adamant about getting DK Metcalf from what I hear, clearly he's still at the table over his dice on Rodgers, now he has to bring it home," Anderson wrote on X .
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network believes Rodgers could wait up until the 2025 NFL Draft, just as he did in 2023.
"I don't get the sense he's in a hurry at all. I really don't, and there's no deadline for him to be," Rapoport said . "He doesn't have to decide by any time. He sort of controls this thing. There's no actual deadline. So if you're the Giants or the Vikings or the Steelers or whoever ends up signing Aaron Rodgers, if it's anyone, then you'd like it now. But the next point is do you draft someone? And that's a month or so away. All of us would like this done sooner rather than later. I don't get the sense Rodgers is in any hurry at all. Could it go all the way to the draft like it did two years ago? Maybe it could."
Steelers All-Pro defensive tackle Cam Heyward is tired of waiting around for Rodgers. The contact period for free agency started over a week ago, and the Steelers still don't have an answer at quarterback. Heyward put out a blunt message to the four-time league MVP on the latest episode of his Not Just Football podcast.
"I ain't doing that darkness retreat. I don't need any of that crap," Heyward said. "Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don't. That's simple, that's the pitch. If you want me to recruit, that's the recruiting pitch. Pittsburgh Steelers — if you want to be part of it, so be it. If you don't, no skin off my back."
Heyward just wants to move forward and focus on the rest of the 2025 offseason. He's tired of hearing about the endless chatter of the Steelers' quarterback situation.
"I just want to play football. I'm tired of talking about the quarterback situation. I'd rather have it done," Heyward said. "I don't know what ends up happening. I'm ready to move on in free agency."
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