A week and a half into NFL free agency, there is still no resolution to the Aaron Rodgers saga.
The New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings have been linked to him, but he hasn’t made a decision yet, and the Vikings have reportedly been his preference, according to a report in The Athletic.
The Vikings seem committed to moving forward with J.J. McCarthy, who missed all of his rookie season due to a meniscus injury, starting under center this fall. According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, if they go ahead and sign an experienced QB to back up McCarthy, such as Carson Wentz, it could mean that they will decide to not pursue Rodgers.
“The pressing question — and the true canary in the coal mine when it comes to the conclusion of a Rodgers pursuit — is whether the Vikings now move to get Wentz or another veteran backup to pair with McCarthy,” Robinson wrote. “If they don’t, Rodgers’ availability will linger inside Minnesota’s franchise until he retires or signs with another team. And right now, nobody across the league has a sense of that happening quickly.”
Robinson also added that the Steelers and Giants still have Rodgers as their top option, and that both teams are likely to wait until the Vikings give some kind of tell as far as which direction they will head in.
Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns last season as a member of the New York Jets. His two-year tenure with the Jets was very disappointing, as they won a total of 12 games and missed the playoffs both seasons despite plenty predicting they would be Super Bowl contenders.
The New York Jets are reportedly moving on from four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers this offseason.
Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
An argument could be made that Rodgers could thrive at least somewhat on the right team despite being 41 years of age. Minnesota could very well be that team.
Minnesota went 14-3 last season thanks to a strong season from oft-maligned signal-caller Sam Darnold. It has weapons in superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson, WR2 Jordan Addison, tight end T.J. Hockenson and workhorse running back Aaron Jones.
Going to the Vikings would also mean Rodgers would follow in the footsteps of fellow former Green Bay Packers legend Brett Favre. Favre left the Packers in 2008 when he came out of retirement and spent a year with the Jets before ending his career in Minnesota.
But it is anyone’s guess whether Minnesota actually wants the enigmatic Rodgers.
