The Green Bay Packers made an unpopular decision in the spring of 2005. Despite having Brett Favre under center and coming off back-to-back 30+ touchdown seasons, then-general manager Ted Thompson decided to select quarterback Aaron Rodgers with 24th overall pick in the NFL Draft after the California product had fallen down the draft board.
Fast forward 15 years, and current Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst did something similar. Despite having Rodgers, then a two-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion, he drafted Utah State’s Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, a clear sign that a change was on the horizon.
The Green Bay Packers Traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, Just as They Did Brett Favre
![Green Bay Packers Fans Expect Aaron Rodgers to Sign with 1 Specific Rival Team 1 Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/USATSI_24941749-scaled-e1739139354841.jpg)
After Favre retired following the 2007 season, he changed his mind and told the Packers he wanted to come back. They said he was welcome to rejoin the team, but it would be as Rodgers’ backup.
Of course, he was having none of that. As a result, Green Bay traded him to the New York Jets.
And the rest, as they say, is history. Favre spent one season in New York before retiring a second time. However, he unretired yet again and signed with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.
He spent two seasons in Minnesota, took them to the NFC Championship Game in his first year, but struggled mightily in his second.
Favre retired for good following the 2010 season.
Similarly, though not exactly the same, the Packers traded Rodgers to the Jets following the 2022 NFL season. He spent two disappointing years in New York, and now reports state that new head coach Aaron Glenn and new general manager Darren Mougey do not view him as a good fit for their culture.
If these reports turn out to be true, and if Rodgers wants to play in the NFL again in 2025, Packers fans have an idea for where he will go next.
Green Bay Packers Fans Predict Aaron Rodgers Will Sign with the Minnesota Vikings
![Green Bay Packers Fans Expect Aaron Rodgers to Sign with 1 Specific Rival Team 2 Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/USATSI_24553394_168400517_lowres.jpg)
Last offseason, the Minnesota Vikings made the decision to part ways with long-time quarterback Kirk Cousins. Their plan going forward was to draft a quarterback, which they did in JJ McCarthy, and sign a veteran to act as his mentor, which they did by signing Sam Darnold.
But the best laid plans of mice and men oftentimes go awry.
McCarthy tore his ACL during the summer and missed his entire rookie season. Darnold, meanwhile, had a career-year with a 66.2% completion percentage, 4,319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 102.9 passer rating.
While the Vikings have not made a decision on what to do at quarterback next season, it is possible that Darnold is allowed to walk in free agency as McCarthy was drafted to be the future of their franchise. If this is the case, Packers fans believe Rodgers could sign with Minnesota as a bridge quarterback and mentor to the young former Michigan star:
Of course, there are many things that need to happen before this theory becomes a reality. The Jets actually have to cut Rodgers, and he needs to officially decide that he wants to play.
As mentioned, the Vikings also need to finalize their decisions on McCarthy and Darnold.
It sure will be an interesting offseason, and Rodgers could be at the center of it.
Just how he likes it.