Report: Aaron Rodgers Down to Two Options – Wait for Vikings or…

Right now, it appears as if the Minnesota Vikings are committed to their 2024 first round draft pick J.J. McCarthy as the starting quarterback for the future. That commitment doesn’t necessarily waver if they bring in a future Hall of Fame quarterback to take the helm for a season, though.

While Aaron Rodgers doesn’t appear to be on the radar of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell, as of now, until the MN Vikings sign a clear backup for J.J. McCarthy, speculation connecting Rodgers to the Vikings will continue to run rampant.

Minnesota Vikings remain Aaron Rodgers dream scenario

Reports in recent weeks have been focused around Aaron Rodgers’ desire to play for the Vikings, under O’Connell’s tutelage and within an array of weapons few offenses in the league possess. If Rodgers’ actions haven’t been loud enough on their own, then insider Dianna Russini (The Athletic) has been his megaphone.

Recently, Tom Pelissero appeared on the Jim Rome Show, and he stated just how willing Rodgers is to wait. His two options are the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers. If he wanted to play in black and yellow under head coach Mike Tomlin, he would’ve already signed. But… he hasn’t.

"It's Pittsburgh or wait."@TomPelissero on Aaron Rodgers remaining options in free agency. pic.twitter.com/jmGZiCHad8

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) March 27, 2025

“This deal [with Pittsburgh] has been in place for weeks. They have discussed parameters. This is not going to be a financial issue at all for Aaron Rodgers…The Pittsburgh Steelers are the only opportunity that Aaron has…Aaron had a high interest in Minnesota…It was always a longshot in Minnesota because they have a high degree of belief that J.J. McCarthy is going to be the guy…They decided at this point, they are moving forward. I’m not anticipating that changing…We’re in a very small percentage chance here that this thing changes, and he has Minnesota open up. Aaron’s own choices right now are go to the Steelers, quiet down everything…or you sit back and say, I’m not ready to make a decision right now. Maybe you see, whether it’s Minnesota or something else, what might shake out of the trees…This is Pittsburgh… or wait.”

Tom Pelissero – Jim Rome Show

The former Packers legend has made more than $380 million during his career and doesn’t need more money. He’s also clearly not sold on what the Steelers have to offer. Mike Tomlin is a good coach, but he isn’t the QB whisperer that KOC is. D.K. Metcalf and George Pickens aren’t Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, either.

Pittsburgh has stuck their neck out knowing they need a quarterback. The Steelers needed one last year, so bad that they played two in the form of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. Both those players are now gone elsewhere, and they look like a lonely suitor hoping that Rodgers picks them.

Minnesota doesn’t need Rodgers. Sam Darnold is more than proof enough that McCarthy should be expected to succeed. If Aaron Rodgers wants to try and wrangle one last Super Bowl though, the Vikings are his best bet. But until the Vikings tell him to kick rocks and get lost, the 4X NFL MVP has no incentive to make that decision.

MN Vikings allowing Pittsburgh Steelers to embarrass themselves

There’s no denying the resume of Aaron Rodgers. Not only does he have four MVPs, but the four-time All-Pro has also been named to ten Pro Bowls, and he has a Super Bowl ring. He’s also 42 years old, one year removed from an achilles tear, and his last team went 5-12.

Related: Insider Says Minnesota Vikings Had a Near-Perfect Free Agency

Last season Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He was good-not-great with a Jets team that was terrible. What level he aided is debatable. Regardless, he’s still calling the shots while his likely future employer, and teammates, get laughed at in the process.

It’s not on the Vikings to save the Steelers, or Rodgers from himself, in this situation. They could change their own stance, or they could just sit back and watch the NFL QB landscape burn.