There previously was some confusion about whether or not the Minnesota Vikings could reach out to quarterback Aaron Rodgers as 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy continues to recover from the full meniscus repair that cost him his rookie season.
Rodgers then reportedly spent more than six hours visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the weekend.
On Sunday night, NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk indicated that Rodgers no longer expects to hear from the Vikings this spring.
“As one source in the general vicinity of those who would be in position to know said Sunday, it’s a ‘safe bet’ that quarterback Aaron Rodgers eventually will sign with the Steelers,” Florio wrote. “…The signs are pointing to Rodgers landing in Pittsburgh for 2025. Could it change? Yes. Again, it’s a ‘safe bet’ it won’t.”
Before Rodgers had his meeting with the Steelers, a report mentioned that some within the Vikings “supported the idea of” signing the 41-year-old, in part because those individuals view McCarthy “as a less-than-certain option” for a team that went 14-3 this past season with Sam Darnold as its starter.
However, the fact that Minnesota has since been linked with unexciting veterans such as former Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill and one-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Joe Flacco suggests that Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell believes McCarthy will look like a legitimate QB1 during springtime workouts.
As for Rodgers, the New York Giants seemed to pivot away from the future Hall of Famer when they came to terms on a two-year, $8M contract that could be worth as much as $16M with journeyman Jameis Winston.
Numerous stories throughout March hinted that Rodgers preferred to sign with the Steelers over the Giants. That makes sense considering Pittsburgh was a playoff team with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson on the depth chart, while Big Blue ended this past campaign at 3-14.
The Steelers reportedly have no deadline for a Rodgers decision, so he theoretically could remain unsigned until he gets a final answer about the Vikings’ plans for 2025. With that said, it sounds like O’Connell and Co. want it known that McCarthy will be their undisputed starter when training-camp practices get underway later this summer.