In one of the most shocking moves in modern NFL history, Aaron Rodgers has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, greeting fans in Minneapolis this June with a record-setting contract that has stunned both analysts and fans across the league.

The deal, worth a staggering $280 million over 4 years, includes $210 million fully guaranteed, making it the largest contract in NFL history — and a direct challenge to the power balance in the NFC North.

“The fire’s still burning,” Rodgers told the crowd gathered at U.S. Bank Stadium. “And now, I’m burning purple.”

😮 A Legacy-Defying Move

The 41-year-old quarterback, a four-time NFL MVP and former face of the Green Bay Packers, is now suiting up for their archrivals — the very franchise he tormented for over a decade.

The decision has sent shockwaves throughout the league, especially in Green Bay, where fans are reacting with disbelief and betrayal.

“You either retire a hero or live long enough to play for the Vikings,” joked one former Packers teammate.

Rodgers’ arrival officially ends his two-year stint with the New York Jets, where he helped restore competitiveness but fell short of a Super Bowl. Now, he’s taken his talents back to the NFC — and perhaps into the most intense rivalry of his career.

🟣 Why Minnesota?

Sources close to the deal say Rodgers was lured by a combination of:

• An elite young receiving corps led by Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison

• A revitalized offensive scheme under head coach Kevin O’Connell

• A front office willing to give Rodgers control over the offense and weekly game plans

The Vikings also reportedly agreed to allow Rodgers’ longtime personal quarterback coach and performance team to be fully integrated into team operations — a move not all teams were willing to make.

💬 Rodgers: “I’m Not Done Yet”

At the press conference announcing his signing, Rodgers took aim at critics who questioned his longevity and motivation:

“People think I’m winding down. I’m winding up,” he said. “I came to Minnesota for one reason — to win a Super Bowl. And do it with style.”

📉 Fallout in Green Bay

The Packers front office issued a brief, diplomatic statement wishing Rodgers well. However, fan sentiment is less forgiving.

• “He gave us a championship — but now he wants to win one with the enemy?” wrote a lifelong Packers fan on X.

• Others burned his jersey outside Lambeau Field, videos of which quickly went viral.

Meanwhile, Vikings fans are celebrating the twist of fate — the quarterback who once crushed their postseason dreams is now their best hope to fulfill them.

🔥 League-Wide Reactions

Players and analysts across the NFL lit up social media with their responses:

• Patrick Mahomes: “NFC’s gonna be wild this year 🔥”

• JJ Watt: “Rodgers in purple? My brain can’t process this.”

• Colin Cowherd: “The biggest gamble in franchise history — and maybe the most brilliant.”

📊 Contract Details (Per Sources)

• Length: 4 years

• Total Value: $280 million

• Guaranteed: $210 million

• Bonus Clauses: MVP bonus, NFC title bonus, Super Bowl bonus totaling up to $25 million

• Player Options: Rodgers holds opt-out after year two

• Influence: Full veto rights on coordinator hires and game-day input on offensive scripts

🧠 What This Means for the NFC North

Rodgers’ arrival instantly reboots the rivalry with the Packers, while also applying pressure to rising teams like the Lions and Bears. With Rodgers now behind center in Minnesota and surrounded by young talent, the Vikings are being dubbed:

“A Super Bowl sleeper that just woke up.”

Vegas has already moved the Vikings to the third-best odds in the NFC, behind only the 49ers and Eagles.

📅 Circle the Date: Vikings vs. Packers

The Week 4 clash between the Vikings and Packers at Lambeau Field will be the most anticipated game of the season — and potentially the most emotionally charged in recent memory. Rodgers returning to Green Bay in a purple jersey is sure to be prime-time drama.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Rodgers closed the press conference with a cryptic nod to his past and his new future:

“I’ve worn green. I’ve worn white. Now I wear purple. The goal stays the same — and the story’s not over yet.”