The Minnesota Vikings, who are still in the market for a veteran QB, are no longer interested in signing former Jets and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, according to sources who spoke to ESPN. This means that second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be the team’s opening-day starter as things currently stand.
“I am told the Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls involving their young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, telling teams they’re moving forward with McCarthy as their quarterback. Minnesota’s still interested in adding a veteran, whether it’s through free agency or a trade, but I am told they are not pursuing Aaron Rodgers,” said the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. “There was a lot of dialogue back and forth, but I am told Rodgers is now aware Minnesota is going in another direction. The Vikings have full confidence in J.J. McCarthy as their quarterback.”
Rodgers’ last two remaining options for a starting job are with the New York Giants or the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Pelissero.
The #Vikings continue to explore multiple options for a veteran QB addition, whether through free agency or a trade.
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers’ options are now focused on the #Steelers and #Giants. https://t.co/gvnyGyDTzp
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 19, 2025
This news comes less than a day after longtime Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward slammed Rodgers for dragging his feet and not yet making a decision about where he wants to play.
“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 a part of it, so be it. If you don’t, no skin off my back.”
Rodgers, who turned 41 in December, was released by the New York Jets when the new league year began on March 12th. In 17 games last season, he threw for 3,897 yards and 28 passing touchdowns.
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Where should Aaron Rodgers go?
It sounds like there are only two options for Rodgers at this point: Pittsburgh or New York. Both organizations have their pros and cons.
The New York Giants have their location working for them. If Rodgers were to join the G-Men, then he wouldn’t have to move or even get used to playing on a new field because the Giants and Jets both share MetLife Stadium. The Giants also have an offensive-minded head coach, as opposed to the Steelers who were 27th in passing last season. Unfortunately, New York’s roster is worse than Pittsburgh’s and their offensive weapons aren’t anything special outside of wide receiver Malike Nabers.
The Steelers appear to be the better organization right now. They are the model of consistency with Mike Tomlin, who has never had a losing record in 18 years as an NFL head coach. Plus, their wide receiver corps is better than New York’s. However, if Rodgers signed with the Steelers, he would not only have to move but also probably make changes to the way he lives during the season. I don’t imagine Tomlin or team owner Art Rooney II will let Rodgers go on The Pat McAfee Show every week to air out his dirty laundry.
Colin on why Aaron Rodgers should sign with the Giants over the Steelers pic.twitter.com/xmZ7YhpZ1b
— Marshall Green (@MarshallGreen_) March 15, 2025
I think that Rodgers should sign with the Steelers. In fact, I would say that decision is a no-brainer, especially after they acquired wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. But, I don’t think Rodgers cares about that.
I believe Aaron Rodgers is an insanely proud person who wants to get revenge on the New York Jets for making him look like a joke. Success is the best revenge, and leading the Jets’ crosstown rivals to the playoffs would be the ultimate f*ck you. For that reason, I believe he will sign with the New York Giants out of spite for the Jets.
What should the Vikings do?
I understand that the Minnesota Vikings believe they have found their quarterback of the future in J.J. McCarthy. While I wasn’t sold on him coming out of college, the Vikings clearly were, and they have enough faith in McCarthy to start him fresh off of a fully torn meniscus. To be honest, though, I think starting a veteran quarterback would be a better decision going into next season.
The Vikings have built a team that is ready to win a Super Bowl right now. They have playmakers at all of the key positions including wide receiver, running back, offensive line, defensive line, cornerback, the list goes on and on. So if they’re ready to be competitive right now, why would they start an unproven entity like McCarthy at the most important position in the sport? A veteran starter, to at least get the ball rolling, would make more sense in my opinion.
The Vikings have strongly considered and will continue to monitor Aaron Rodgers as an option, but they’re not ready to commit at this point in the offseason, per sources. They understand this could lead to him signing elsewhere or retiring.
J.J. McCarthy’s spring will be key. pic.twitter.com/LrRajP4aNg— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 19, 2025
Outside of Aaron Rodgers, there are still some veteran QBs available who could come in and immediately make this squad a playoff team. Russell Wilson is a proven commodity who was surprisingly named to the Pro Bowl last season. Case Keenum once led the Vikes all the way to the NFC Championship Game a few years ago. Even Joe Flacco and Jameis Winston have shown you they can lead teams and win games. Any one of those guys could waltz into Minnesota and throw a minimum of 20 touchdowns with their eyes closed.
So again, I ask, why would the Vikings, who were the biggest spenders this off-season and have elite players at almost every position, choose to gamble this season’s success on a 22-year-old who has never played in a regular-season NFL game?
I guess the Vikings franchise wants to start the future now and give their young quarterback a chance to step in and thrive with a stacked roster. But, if that plan doesn’t work and McCarthy struggles in his first year, there will be a fan meltdown in Minneapolis, and heads will roll.
