The Minnesota Vikings currently have only one quarterback signed for next season, and with J.J. McCarthy yet to take a snap in the regular season, there could be a need for a veteran stopgap option.
Among the available quarterbacks, none has a more impressive track record than Aaron Rodgers.
CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin, a former NFL agent, identified the leading potential destinations for Rodgers, listing the Vikings as one of his top three teams.
“Besides the storybook parallels to Brett Favre, who also went from Packers legend to Jets and Vikings rental to close his career, this one registers as sneakily plausible. The Vikings would surely prefer to re-sign current starter Sam Darnold, who’s fared reasonably well under Kevin O’Connell, but what if Darnold opts for a better-paying gig in 2025 free agency, confidence restored, ready to depart the lurking shadow of first-round pick J.J. McCarthy,” Benjamin wrote. “Minnesota might still want a placeholder as McCarthy returns from knee surgery, and Rodgers would be getting a ready-made lineup with the best offensive line, skill weapons and defense he’s had in years. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was in the San Francisco 49ers‘ front office when the Niners reportedly tried to land Rodgers in 2021, and he’d also be betting on the vengeance factor, allowing Rodgers to play the Packers at least twice.”
Rodgers is in the penultimate year of a two-year, $75 million revised contract with the New York Jets. He has a $2.5 million base salary and the Jets would be on the hook for a majority of his contract if they find a trade partner.
Other Vikings QB Options in 2025
Despite the ongoing speculation about Rodgers’ future, the Vikings will be looking for more quarterbacks in the upcoming offseason.
Darnold is not expected to return, as he is seen as the top free-agent quarterback. Additionally, the contracts of Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien are also set to expire.
Bringing in a veteran quarterback would be beneficial for the development of McCarthy.
Some potential free-agent quarterbacks for 2025 who would suit this role include Jacoby Brissett, Jameis Winston, Joe Flacco, Andy Dalton, Marcus Mariota, Taylor Heinicke, and Jimmy Garoppolo.
Retirement the Most Likely Option for Rodgers, Analyst Says
While Benjamin presented convincing arguments for several potential landing spots for Rodgers, it ultimately falls on him to decide whether he wants to continue playing.
Rodgers, who will turn 41 in December, is one of the most controversial figures in the league. His well-known darkness retreats and strong opinions reflect a player who prioritizes doing things his own way.
“Let’s be honest: If Rodgers chooses not to return for a third season with the Jets, it’s likely he won’t come back at all. Leaving the Green Bay Packers in 2023 was a significant challenge for the former star. Moreover, New York was his preferred destination. The Jets’ efforts to accommodate his every wish, including investing in former Packers associates like Nathaniel Hackett and Allen Lazard, reinforced this,” Benjamin noted.
“It’s one thing to start fresh; it’s another to face that challenge at age 41, especially after two injury-plagued seasons, likely with a team that may not be willing to accept his level of influence or may lack the resources to compete for a championship. While Rodgers may want a grand farewell, he could come to realize, like Tom Brady did after a disappointing end, that it might be time to step away from the game rather than endure more turmoil.”
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