Could the stars be aligning for former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to join the rival Minnesota Vikings for the 2025 season?

Several factors have led to this point. First, of course, is the reality that the New York Jets are ready to move on just two seasons after trading for Rodgers, who is expected to be released. So, where does the future Hall of Famer go next? Retirement is still an option. But the dominoes are starting to fall around him. The Seattle Seahawks agreed to trade quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, opening up a starting job in Seattle, where Vikings starter Sam Darnold could land on a lucrative deal.

The Vikings clearly want a veteran option to pair with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, and Daniel Jones is an option. But Jones has interest elsewhere, and Rodgers could be a top backup plan if Jones doesn’t return to the Vikings. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, and the Vikings are coming off a 14-win regular season. Handing the keys to a quarterback with zero career starts would be a risk for Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings, which is likely motivating the desire for a veteran.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Vikings are considered a “dark horse” for landing Rodgers, who is also considering the New York Giants.

Answers will be arriving soon. The legal tampering period arrives Monday, so deals will be agreed upon around the league and clarity on the quarterback carousel should arrive early in the week.

Rodgers landing in Minnesota would be almost unbelievable but also perfectly fitting, given the similarities to Brett Favre’s post-Packers football career. He was traded to the Jets and eventually finished his career in Minnesota.

Rodgers cares deeply about his lasting legacy. Would he want to finish his career as the fallback option to Daniel Jones and the bridge quarterback to J.J. McCarthy for one of the Packers’ biggest rivals?

The Packers will play the Vikings at least twice next season, including once at Lambeau Field. Let the circus begin if Rodgers — who spent 18 seasons in Green Bay — lands in Minnesota. Packers fans have seen this movie before.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Former Packers QB Aaron Rodgers a potential option for Vikings