Aaron Rodgers isn't in the Minnesota Vikings' plans for 2025
Aaron Rodgers apparently won't be making a return to the NFC North.
The veteran quarterback is not in the plans of the Minnesota Vikings, per an NFL Network report on Wednesday.
The #Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls on J.J. McCarthy, telling other teams they’re moving forward with him as their quarterback, sources say.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 19, 2025
The team plans to add a veteran. But they’re not pursuing Aaron Rodgers at this time. McCarthy now enters the offseason as… pic.twitter.com/oPf6DIvQpj
The Vikings are coming off a 14-3 season. Sam Darnold was their quarterback but he was on a one-year deal. Darnold signed a $100 million contract through free agency with the Seahawks.
Rodgers is coming off one of -- if not the -- worst seasons of his NFL career. So much was expected when he came to the New York Jets but nothing happened. He tore his Achilles on the fourth play of his 2023 season, and in 2024 everything went awry as the team flopped to a third-place finish in the AFC East.
It would appear that Rodgers' current options are the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Giants need a quarterback unless they grab one with their first-round pick in the draft. Pittsburgh saw Justin Fields go to the Jets in free agency, and Russell Wilson, its quarterback for much of 2024, is also a free agent.
Rodgers reportedly is in no rush to make a decision.
Nothing related to Minnesota has altered Aaron Rodgers’ timeline. One source monitoring Rodgers’ potential decision about the 2025 season said this morning that the free-agent QB still “is in no rush at all.” pic.twitter.com/rSEGoYSX0M
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2025
Rodgers will be 42 in December. The Giants are nowhere near being a contender and he would have to be a miracle worker to turn them into a playoff team. The Steelers lost their last five games of 2024, including a playoff defeat to the Baltimore Ravens.
Steelers star defensive lineman Cam Heyward is not enamored with the Rodgers dance.
"I ain't doing that darkness retreat," Heyward said, responding to a question from co-host Hayden Walsh of his "Not Just Football" podcast" on whether he would go into the dark with Rodgers to land the quarterback's services. "I don't need any of that crap. Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don't. It's that 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."
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Vikings going with J.J. McCarthy, won't chase Aaron Rodgers
Topics
-
Are the Vikings actually in the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes?
How many teams are actually interested in Aaron Rodgers?Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Aaron Rodgers may leave Steelers QB-less to sign with Vikings, per insider
Insider Dianna Russini has reported that QB Aaron Rodgers prefers to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, which is great news for upset Steelers fans.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Vikings committed to J.J. McCarthy as starting QB after considering Aaron Rodgers, AP source says
The Minnesota Vikings have committed to moving forward with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback this season after deciding not to offer Aaron Rodgers a contract, a person with knowledge of ...Yahoo Sports - 4h -
Vikings' decision hasn't altered the Aaron Rodgers timeline
With Minnesota out, the wait will nevertheless continue.Yahoo Sports - 4h -
Why the Vikings could reportedly determine Aaron Rodgers' future
The Vikings will reportedly play a huge role in Aaron Rodgers' future.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Aaron Rodgers really wants to be a Viking it seems
Aaron Rodgers seemingly wants to be a Viking, but do they want him? He is waiting to find out at the very least.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Report: Aaron Rodgers no longer on Vikings radar, turn down trade offer for J.J. McCarthy
Aaron Rodgers no longer on Vikings radar, focused on McCarthy for 2025 despite teams sending offers for the young quarterback.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
Aaron Rodgers update: Vikings not pursuing 10-time Pro Bowler, sticking with J.J. McCarthy as QB, per report
Minnesota reportedly could still possibly explore the idea of adding Rodgers laterCBS Sports - 1h -
The pros and cons of the Vikings signing Aaron Rodgers
The rumors surrounding future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers need to be addressed. It’s not a coincidence at this point that the Vikings keep popping up as a potential landing spot. Though ...Yahoo Sports - 4d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
PFF picks 'least favorite' free agent signing for Colts
Of the free agency moves made by the Indianapolis Colts, which one was Pro Football Focus' least favorite?Yahoo Sports - 21m -
March Madness will be Tre Johnson's last hurrah as a Texas Longhorn
Freshman Tre Johnson's time as a Texas Longhorn is quickly coming to an end. His play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament will define how he's remembered.Yahoo Sports - 26m -
2025 Men's March Madness brackets: NBC Sports experts share their Final Four, predictions
Torn between a couple Cinderella picks? Back and forth on a champion? See what our experts think about the men's tournament.Yahoo Sports - 26m -
Why Michigan football EDGE TJ Guy switched numbers from 42 to 4 in spring ball
The senior EDGE explained why the switch from 42 to 4.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Contract details for Arizona Cardinals OLB Baron Browning
Howard Balzer breaks down the official numbers for Cardinals OLB Baron Browning's new 2-year contract.Yahoo Sports - 28m
More in Sports
-
PFF picks 'least favorite' free agent signing for Colts
Of the free agency moves made by the Indianapolis Colts, which one was Pro Football Focus' least favorite?Yahoo Sports - 21m -
March Madness will be Tre Johnson's last hurrah as a Texas Longhorn
Freshman Tre Johnson's time as a Texas Longhorn is quickly coming to an end. His play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament will define how he's remembered.Yahoo Sports - 26m -
2025 Men's March Madness brackets: NBC Sports experts share their Final Four, predictions
Torn between a couple Cinderella picks? Back and forth on a champion? See what our experts think about the men's tournament.Yahoo Sports - 26m -
Why Michigan football EDGE TJ Guy switched numbers from 42 to 4 in spring ball
The senior EDGE explained why the switch from 42 to 4.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Contract details for Arizona Cardinals OLB Baron Browning
Howard Balzer breaks down the official numbers for Cardinals OLB Baron Browning's new 2-year contract.Yahoo Sports - 28m