The Minnesota Vikings entered NFL free agency understanding that Sam Darnold would sign with another team, opening the door to spend that money on other positions. However, the club lost Daniel Jones in a bidding war with the Indianapolis Colts and now a new veteran is on the radar.
Minnesota is looking for a viable starter to challenge J.J. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season due to a meniscus tear in August 2023. While the club is comfortable with McCarthy being the Vikings starting quarterback in 2025, it wants someone proven behind him.
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Jones was the primary target, having already spent the second half of last season with the Vikings coaching staff. Once he officially signed with Indianapolis, Minnesota had to turn its focus to the remaining free-agent quarterbacks with one name now squarely on the radar.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Vikings are “seriously discussing the possibility” of signing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
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The interest is mutual, with Rodgers eyeing an opportunity to potentially step into a Vikings offense with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson and former teammate Aaron Jones. If he won the starting job, he’d have a chance to operate in one of the best NFL offenses in 2025.
However, Rodgers would need to cede control of play-calling to Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. Furthermore, Minnesota might be more inclined to give McCarthy the edge in the starting quarterback competition, especially if he looks sharp this spring.
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The Vikings’ roster and coaching staff are certainly far more appealing than what Rodgers’ other suitors – the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers – have to offer. However, New York and Pittsburgh both might offer more money and a clearer path to the starting job.
If Rodgers signs with the Giants or Steelers, Minnesota will then have to choose from options like Drew Lock, Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston and Carson Wentz. None of them offer the upside or even floor that Rodgers does, but they are the best quarterbacks remaining in NFL free agency.
