The world is waiting with bated breath as Aaron Rodgers decides what to do for 2025. Right now it looks like he has two choices: sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers who are interested or hang it up and retire.
But ESPN’s Adam Schefter just gave us a glimpse into Rodgers’ thinking and it seems like he might still be holding out hope for a third option – the Minnesota Vikings. Let’s get into it.
Why Rodgers Prefers the Vikings?
The Steelers are interested, but Rodgers has his heart set on the Vikings. The Vikings are committed to building around J.J. McCarthy their 1st round pick from last year, as their franchise QB.
But Schefter says Rodgers isn’t ready to give up on the purple and gold just yet.
“I think he’s waiting to see if over time the odds of signing in Minnesota increase and that opportunity opens up,” Schefter said on UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio. “The Vikings have never fully ruled it out or squashed it. They haven’t exactly embraced it right now but they also haven’t had OTAs with their 10th overall pick J.J. McCarthy back and leading the team and knowing what it’s like.”
The Vikings haven’t said no, so the door is slightly ajar, even if it’s not wide open. For a patient and calculated player like Rodgers, this might be enough to keep him waiting.
Steelers Show Interest, But No Rush
Rodgers recently met with the Steelers. Mike Tomlin, the team’s head coach, described that meeting as productive. But Tomlin was clear: there’s no internal timeline for Rodgers to make a decision. That’s not necessarily a surprise, given Rodgers’ age—and the fact that he isn’t getting any younger.
The Steelers might well prefer a long-term solution under center. Yet the allure of adding a future Hall of Famer—even if it’s just for a season or two—could be too tempting to pass up.
A Disappointing End in New York
Rodgers’ tenure with the New York Jets ended on a sour note—and left many wondering if he still had anything left in the tank. After that brutal Achilles tear in Week 1 of the 2023 season, Rodgers came back fully healthy in 2024—but just couldn’t seem to get his MVP mojo back.
Last season, he threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns, completing 63% of his passes. Those numbers aren’t terrible on paper—but they don’t tell the whole story. Rodgers’ yards per attempt and passer rating were the lowest of his career in a full season. That raises serious questions about whether he can still perform at an elite level.
The Jets won just six games in 2024—two fewer than they did in 2023, when Rodgers was out with that injury. While some of that decline can be attributed to the Jets’ roster construction issues, Rodgers’ struggles were plain to see.
What’s Next for Rodgers?
If the Vikings decide to fully commit to J.J. McCarthy, Rodgers may be forced to face reality—and himself. That’s when he’ll have to choose: join the Steelers for one last hurrah—or walk away from the game for good.
For a control freak who’s spent his career building a legacy, neither option is exactly what he’d want. Signing with the Steelers could give him a shot at redemption—but also means he’d be seen as a Band-Aid solution rather than a cornerstone. Retiring, on the other hand, would let him go out on his own terms. But that would also mean closing the door on his dream of finishing his career in Minnesota where he wanted it to end.
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