Even at 41, Aaron Rodgers had stalled the quarterback market. The Vikings hovered at the forefront of this stoppage, as the connection between Rodgers and Minnesota proved enough to halt delay the future Hall of Famer’s decision and impact other dominoes from falling.
While the Vikings may not be definitively out on giving Rodgers the chance to complete the Brett Favre career arc, it does sound like they are prepared to stand down. The team is staying out of the Rodgers chase for the time being, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Although the Vikes are still planning to add a veteran passer, it is unlikely to be Rodgers.
As could be expected, the Vikings have also informed teams J.J. McCarthy is not available via trade. Multiple McCarthy trade calls have commenced this offseason, Pelissero adds. It was rumored late last season, as questionable free agent and draft crops loomed for QB-needy teams, McCarthy would bring trade interest. Seeing as the Vikings centered their 2024 offseason around the No. 10 overall pick and that the team had let Sam Darnold walk in free agency, entertaining trade offers appeared a non-starter.
The Steelers and Giants should be positioned to, even given Rodgers’ glacial pace this offseason, hear an answer soon. Both teams have made offers, but the Vikings had muddied the market due to presenting intrigue after a 14-3 season with Darnold at the controls. Minnesota’s current stance may not be final, but it will put Rodgers, Pittsburgh and New York to decisions. The Vikings are merely not ready to commit to Rodgers right now, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who indicates the NFC North club “strongly considered” the aging QB. Though, unless Rodgers wants to wait out McCarthy’s offseason work, he will need to make a decision.
Rodgers taking an extended period before choosing would not exactly be out of character, especially at this stage of his career, but the Giants and Steelers will soon need answers in order to have some clarity moving forward. The Vikings’ early call here should move the Russell Wilson market along and perhaps give Kirk Cousins a clearer picture about his future.
More to come.