Earlier this week, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was released by the New York Jets, making him a free agent for the first time in his NFL career.
And while two teams have expressed interest in signing the four-time NFL MVP, it has become apparent that there is a different team that Rodgers would like to play for: the Minnesota Vikings.
Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Wants to Play for the Minnesota Vikings in 2025
The Vikings, of course, were 14-3 last year and legitimately could be considered to be a quarterback away from being a Super Bowl contender in 2025. They lost Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold to the Seattle Seahawks in free agency, and are not sure if they want to hand over the offense to JJ McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season in 2024 with a torn ACL.
If they decide to pursue Rodgers, well, The Athletic reports that they are the team that he wants to play for next season. Furthermore, if he does not get to play for Minnesota, he may choose to retire:
“Rodgers is hoping to sign with the Vikings, who went 14-3 in 2024 before suffering a first-round playoff defeat to the Los Angeles Rams. Meanwhile, the Vikings have been strongly weighing the possibility of pursuing Rodgers as a replacement for 2024 starter Sam Darnold, who signed a three-year, $100 million free-agent deal Wednesday with the Seattle Seahawks.
“Rodgers, in the wake of his release by the New York Jets, is seeking an annual salary in the same general range as Darnold’s — though that’s not expected to be a major stumbling block.
“O’Connell, the reigning NFL coach of the year, must decide whether he’s committed to bringing in the future first-ballot Hall of Famer, while considering the effect such a move could have on the growth of second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the 10th pick in the 2024 draft. To be sure, pursuing Rodgers would be an organizational decision, but O’Connell is the person with the most on the line, and it will only happen if he’s comfortable with the scenario.
“Rodgers has been targeted by the Steelers and Giants but has essentially put both teams on hold while he waits for clarity regarding the Vikings’ situation. If Minnesota ceases to be an option, it’s also possible that Rodgers will turn down both the Steelers (a 2024 playoff team) and Giants and instead opt for retirement.”
Ironically, if Rodgers does sign with Minnesota, he would have taken an eerily similar career path as that of his predecessor in Green Bay, Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre, who went from the Packers to the Jets to the Vikings (of course, he was first drafted by the Atlanta Falcons).
Last season, Rodgers had a 63.0% completion percentage, 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 90.5 passer rating.
Signing with Minnesota, of course, would pair him with Justin Jefferson, arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, and also reunite him with his former Packers running back, Aaron Jones.
